Vaping

We are aware that some students are trying e-cigarettes or ‘vaping.’The use of e-cigarettes and vapes has become a prominent issue amongst teenagers in Australia within the last year. As we work in partnership with families to educate young people on the harmful effect of drugs, the following information may help start a conversation with your child on the harmful effects of vaping.

Are e-cigarettes legal?

From 1 October 2021, Australians will need a prescription to legally access nicotine containing e‑cigarette products for any purpose. This includes importing these products from overseas.

Isn’t vaping just “flavored water vapor”?

No. Vaping involves inhaling “e-juice” in the form of aerosol produced by an electronic cigarette or vape device. The aerosols typically contain flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease, nicotine and harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde and acrolein. Vape cartridges or “pods” can also be filled with THC, CBD or other “e-juice.”

What do e-cigarettes and vaping devices look like?

E-cigarettes and vape devices come in a number of forms. While some resemble tobacco products, others resemble household objects like USB devices, pens, highlighters and chargers. Vaping companies funded by Big Tobacco are constantly coming out with new products built to skirt regulation and parental detection.

What are the signs of use?

Vaping is easy to hide, and the signs can be easy to miss. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes don’t leave the telltale scent of tobacco. If you notice any of the following things, it’s best to talk with your child about whether or not they are vaping.

Presence of Unfamiliar Technology, Online Purchases or Packaging
Faint Sweet or Fruity Scents
Behavioral and Mood Changes
Increased Irritability or Restlessness
Cutting Back on Caffeine
Desire for Flavor Due to Tastebud Degradation
Pneumonia
Increased Thirst

Why should I be concerned if my child is vaping?

Vaping is harmful and dangerous to teenagers. Almost all vape liquid contains nicotine, which is addictive and harmful to adolescent brain development, and vaping aerosols contain chemicals linked to serious lung disease, and heavy metals.

Why is nicotine so harmful?

Nicotine is harmful to developing brains, affecting attention, learning, mood, impulse control, and memory. Nicotine use in youth can increase risk for addiction to other drugs as well; research shows that teens who have vaped are almost four times as likely to go on to smoke traditional cigarettes.

What makes it addictive?

E-cigarettes deliver a high level of nicotine very quickly. Each JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Teenagers may not be aware that the chemicals in a vape pod are addictive when they try vaping for the first time.

What can I do as a parent or carer?

Talk with your child, prepare yourself by getting the facts and role model an environment that's free of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

The key to communication:

K - Know the facts and where to find them.
E- Engage in the topic in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from around you, a note from school, a news story on it, seeing people vaping on the street.
Y - You know best how to speak to your child, and in ways that work for you, and provide them with the right information to make a healthy choice.