Spotlight on Vaping
A Message from the Wellbeing Team
The Wellbeing Team would like to share some preventative information about vaping. We are seeing more incidents involving vaping and are concerned about the potential impact on our young people’s health.
What are e-cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that come in many forms. They have grown in popularity and are often used to replace cigarettes.
How do they work?
They heat liquids, called e-liquids, into an aerosol that users breathe in.
What do they contain?
Nicotine, flavourings, and a range of harmful and toxic chemicals. Many e-liquids come in flavours that are attractive to young people, such as mango, lime, and mint. The e-cigarette heat may also produce toxic substances.
What do people call them?
E-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS), personal vaporisers, e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vapes, and juuls (pronounced ‘jewels’).
Using e-cigarettes is often called ‘vaping’. It is sometimes referred to as ‘juuling’.
What are the health risks of e-cigarettes?
Many people use e-cigarettes in place of traditional cigarettes due to the false impression that they are safer and healthier. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive especially for teens. E-cigarettes and their liquid may contain nicotine, even if they have been labelled ‘nicotine free’. One e-liquid pod can contain as much nicotine as a packet of cigarettes.
Nicotine exposure during the teenage years can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25. It can impact learning, memory and attention, and increase risk for future addiction to other drugs. Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to go on to use regular cigarettes.
E-liquids can poison children and adults through swallowing or skin contact. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include sweating, dizziness, vomiting, and increased heart rate.
What do e-cigarettes look like?
E-cigarette devices come in many different shapes and sizes. They can look like traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like everyday items commonly used by young people, such as pens or memory sticks (USBs). Some are even disguised as medical devices or concealed within clothing.
Are e-cigarettes and e-liquids safe?
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not safety tested e-cigarettes or e-liquids, so they should not be considered a safe product.
As always, the health and safety of our students is our top priority and partnering with parents and guardians is the best way to help students make positive decisions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Additional info about vaping and e-cigarettes can be found here .
Patrick Burn
Adolescent Health Nurse
Resources: The Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll, Respiratory and Adolescent Medicine Departments.
Kids Health Information by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.