Wellbeing

Vaping and Young People 

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vapourised liquids into the lungs. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens, or USB memory sticks. The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe. 

Vaping facts:  

• Many vapes contain nicotine making them very addictive. The nicotine in one vape can equal 50 cigarettes. 

• Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don’t put it on the pack. 

• Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety. 

• Young people who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking cigarettes.  

• Vape aerosol is not water vapour. 

• Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease. 

• Vapes can cause long-lasting negative effects on the brain development of young people.

Talk to your child about vaping: 

Whether you suspect your young person is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about vaping and help them understand the risks. When speaking to your person about vaping:

• Start with information and approach the topic calmly.  

• Don’t make assumptions and avoid judging or lecturing. 

• Focus on health and explain your concerns.  

• Support them in finding reasons to quit.  These could be written in their phone as a reminder when they feel the urge to vape.  

• Pick a day to stop vaping. They can put it in their calendar and tell supportive friends and family that they are quitting on that day.  

• For some people, chewing sugar-free gum or lollipops can help distract them from the cravings.  

• Removing all vaping supplies. 

• Download tools (such as apps and texting programs) to their phone that can help with cravings and give encouragement while they’re trying to stop vaping.  

• Truth Initiative’s ‘This Is Quitting’ texting program. 

• Smokefree.gov also offers free apps and other tools.  

For more information visit: 

• Quit Victoria - https://www.quit.org.au/articles/teenvaping
• The Royal Children’s Hospital -  https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/

HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICES/CONTACTS - 

KNOX, MAROONDAH, YARRA RANGES