Heathmont Gazette

Do you know what you're vaping?

Do you know what they’re vaping?

 

Heathmont College, like many other schools, has seen a recent spike in young people vaping. 

 

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vapourised liquids into the lungs. There are many different styles of vapes and types of e-liquids, or e-juices, available. 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 1 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 3 times as 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 young people’s brain development.

Signs your child might be vaping

Tell-tale signs that your child might have started vaping include the symptoms of nicotine addiction such as feeling irritable or anxious. 

 

The laws around selling vapes 

Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts on social media. 

  • It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years. 
  • It is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to anyone unless they are prescribed by a doctor to someone over 18 years for smoking cessation purposes and obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy. 
  1. There are a number of retailers who sell vapes to young people. For more information:
  • visit the tobacco reforms website <www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms>
  • call the Tobacco Information Line on 1300 136 775

To view the legislation visit the Victorian Government’s legislation website <www.legislation.vic.gov.au> and search Tobacco Act 1987.

 

Talk to your child about vaping

Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about vaping and help them understand the risks. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed easy-going way, be patient, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Importantly, have your facts ready.

 

For more information 

Get the evidence and facts at: