Wellbeing

Busting Myths About Vaping

There has been a significant increase in the use of nicotine e-cigarettes by young people worldwide. Between 2015 and 2019, e-cigarette use by young people in Australia increased by 96%.  

Vaping refers to the act of inhaling nicotine or other chemicals in a vapor using an e-cigarette. There are many different designs of e-cigarettes. Up to 80% of advertised ‘nicotine-free’ e-cigarettes in Australia still have traces of nicotine in the product. 

• e-cigarettes aren’t that harmful = MYTH! 

International and national research suggests a link between e-cigarettes and lung and cardiovascular disease. 

• Using e-cigarettes to smoke cannabis/THC is safe = MYTH! 

Researchers have discovered oily substances inside white blood cells, lung tissue and airways for smokers of nicotine and THC. 

• Vapes without nicotine are safe = MYTH! 

e-cigarettes generally contain other toxic chemicals that can be damaging to lungs and respiratory system. 

• Vaping helps people quit smoking = MYTH! 

There is not enough evidence to promote their use for this purpose and they are not approved in Australia for this. It is illegal to promote e-cigarettes as a quit-smoking product. 

• e-cigarettes are legal = MYTH! 

It’s illegal to sell, possess or use liquid containing nicotine in e-cigarettes from 1 October 2021. Also, it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to under 18s. 

Are e-cigarettes safe?  

Recent studies reveal that some e-cigarette vapour contains cancer-causing substances and other toxic materials, such as cadmium, that causes breathing problems. 

Vaping has both immediate and long-term effects on the body, such as: 

Immediate: 

• Palpitations or rapid pulse 

• Irritation of the mouth or airways 

• Chest pain 

• Nausea or vomiting 

• e-cigarette overheating and/or exploding 

Long term: 

• Dependence or addiction 

• Harm to a young person’s developing brain 

• Breathing problems 

• Permanent lung damages 

• Death due to lung damage 

There are other positive reasons to be free from e-cigarettes: 

• Saving money 

• Having increased fitness and endurance in sport 

• Not getting into trouble for vaping. 

Penny Hsiao 

Health Promotion Nurse

RCH – Fact Sheet  https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/ RCH – PODCAST – How Harmful can Vaping be? https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=842959       

Mental Health Practitioner - South Oakleigh College

Welcome to the newest member of the Wellbeing Team! 

Martine Potter recently joinedSouth Oakleigh College and has been appointed as the Mental Health Practitioner in Student Services. 

Martine began her career as an Early Childhood teacher and has held numerous roles in various Early Childhood settings both in Australia and overseas. She then moved into a role in Child Protection which provided her with extensive experience working with children, young people and families at risk. During this time Martine began her studies at Deakin University to complete a Master of Social Work. Martine continued her studies while also working at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the Family Choice Program (now called the Complex Care Hub). In this role she gained skills and understanding working with children with disabilities and complex health needs, and their families. Martine then moved to Monash Health where she worked with renal patients and also in the Oasis Unit, which is a psychiatric inpatient unit for children. 

Martine was working in the Wellbeing Team at Vermont Secondary College before joining the team at South Oakleigh College. Martine has a passion for working with children and young people, with a focus on emotional intelligence, emotional regulation and wellbeing. This is central to her clinical practice and, she believes, is the foundation for positive mental health in young people. 

Martine defines wellbeing as feeling good in your body and mind, feeling connected to others or something bigger than yourself, which occurs through positive relationships. She looks forward to building positive relationships and promoting positive mental health with the students, parents and staff at South Oakleigh College. 

Michael Alexis

Director of Students Wellbeing