All About Wellness

Vaping and Young People

Electronic cigarettes are most commonly know as ‘Vapes’. They are known as 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’.

These electronic devices are designed to carry vaporised liquids into the lungs. The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are less harmful compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe!

Young people may think they are simply inhaling flavoured water, this is far from the truth. Vapes can have the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray.

Vapes are colourful, with flavours that make them very appealing to young people. Advertising is also very appealing, just as cigarettes advertising campaigns were highly fashionable before tabacco advertising was banned. The Smoking and Tobacco Products Advertisements (Prohibition) Act was passed on December 28, 1989.

Important Facts about Vaping:

What you can do as a parent or carer

There are ways you can help protect your children from vaping:

• Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about it and help them understand all of the risks. It is never too late to have the conversation.
• Try to start the conversation with your child in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from around you, such as a note from school, a news story about on it, or seeing people vaping on the street.
• If your child is vaping, encourage them to stop, let them know that help is available and you are there for them.
• Learn about the different types of vapes available and the risks associated with using these products.
• Set a good example by being tobacco or vape free.
• Report those who are selling vapes to minors or selling vapes containing nicotine by completing the online reporting form or calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.

The legal status of vaping in Australia

From Friday 1 October 2021, all nicotine vaping products – including nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine – can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. This includes both in Australia and from overseas.

Nicotine-free vaping devices and e-liquids can be legally sold and purchased in most states and territories through online retail stores and tobacco retail outlets.

The Vaping Toolkit & Campaign

The Vaping Toolkit and campaign is designed to increase young people’s awareness of the dangers of vaping and support parents, carers, families, schools and educators, health and community bodies with information and strategies to educate and protect young people from the harms of e-cigarettes.

Please take some time to watch the below presentation hosted by The Royal Children’s Hospital. Paediatrician, Dr Anthea Rhodes and Respiratory Physician, Dr Moya Vandeleur talk about e-cigarettes and teens.

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/#

Click on the below links to gain more information and support:

NSW Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaping

I Can Quit – NSW: https://www.icanquit.com.au/quitting-methods/professional-support-and-advice/quitline

Quit: https://www.quit.org.au/articles/teenvaping/

Lung Foundation: https://lungfoundation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Factsheet-Vaping-and-Young-People_For-Parents-Jul2021.pdf

Emily Flanigan - Social Worker

Liz Smith - Student Counsellor