Also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs, electro-smoke, vapes, vape pens, pods, Juul, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), puff bars, e-hookah, IGET bar
Vaping involves inhaling vapours produced by heating a liquid solution (“e-liquid” or “e-juice) in battery-operated devices. Devices or “vapes” are used to smoke nicotine, but are also used to smoke other drugs, such as cannabis, or nicotine-free flavoured liquids.
Contents
It is not always clear what vape e-liquids contain due to inconsistent and poor labelling. Labels may claim the vape is nicotine-free when it actually contains high levels. Labels also don’t list any harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, such as:
Puffing activates the vape, which vaporises the liquid for the person to inhale. Vapes can be disposable or refillable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, with hundreds of brands and many flavours available. Vapes may look like cigarettes, metallic pens or USBs. They can be slightly larger to include refillable pods or tanks.
Why people vape
People, in particular young people, are drawn to vaping because the devices are novel, bright, small, easy to hide and easily purchased online. They are thought to be safer than normal tobacco cigarettes and are cheaper and taste better with flavourings such as mango, bubble-gum and peppermint etc. Many vape to help reduce or quit smoking. We are not yet fully aware of the potential harms and long-term effects of vaping.
We are still learning about the effects. Newer vaping products may be more harmful, with higher concentrations of nicotine and higher temperatures which can release more toxins into the vapour.
Because vapes mostly contain nicotine, short-term effects may include:
Devices may cause injuries including burns through fires and explosions or poisoning through children swallowing the liquid.
Long-term effects may include…
The consequences of inhaling chemicals, additives and flavourings (contained in nicotine and nicotine-free vapes) are not yet fully understood, though they may cause lung damage. Vaping nicotine can lead to nicotine dependence. Nicotine is well known to cause many types of cancer and heart and lung disease, as well as a range of other health issues. In young people, whose brains are still developing, nicotine can affect learning, mood and impulse control.
Vaping is not safe. There will always be a health risk. The only way to be safe is not to vape. If you choose to vape, the following will help reduce risk:
Before: choose a vape that is of a reputable brand and nicotine-free. If choosing to vape nicotine, find out how much nicotine your vape contains and make sure it is not too high, as levels vary across brands.
During: don’t inhale too much vapour
Avoid: sharing vapes, vaping too often.
It may be a problem if you agree with any of these statements:
I have withdrawal symptoms when I don’t vape – irritability, restless, jittery, headaches, increased sweating, feeling depressed or anxious, tired, difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Under Queensland law, vaping devices containing nicotine may only be legally purchased from a pharmacy using a prescription. From October 1st 2024, vapes will be available to purchase from pharmacies by those 18 years or older where the pharmacist assesses this to be clinically appropriate.
In May 2023, the Federal Government announced its aim to ban recreational vaping by working with Australian states and territories to:
ban retail stores from selling vapes, including nicotine-free vapes.
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| 02 | Case Worker - Maryborough |
| 03 | Clinical Worker - Moranbah |
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