E-cigarettes and vaping

Vapes are harmful

Vapes are sometimes known as e-cigarettes. Vaping can lead to addiction, poisoning, acute nicotine toxicity and lung injury.  Young people who try e-cigarettes are three times as likely to take up smoking as those who have never vaped.

Vaping is harmful, with increasing evidence emerging of the short-term health effects.

Statistics on vaping

• Since 2013, vaping use has grown across almost every age group in our communities.
• More than 30% of young Australians (14-17 year-olds) have vaped.
• Nearly 60% of current e-cigarettes users are under 30. Most concerningly of all, over 60% of 15–24-year-olds had never smoked when they started vaping. By comparison, just 10% of users are over 50.
• The latest data, from the first quarter of 2023, shows:
  • 1 in 7 Australians aged 14-17 years of age are current vapers.
  • 1 in 5 Australians aged 18-24 years of age are current vapers.
• Young Australians who vape are around 3 times more likely to take up tobacco smoking compared to young Australians who have never vaped.
• Data from February 2024 showed that nearly 1 in 2 Australians aged 18-24 have tried to quit vaping before.

What are vapes (e-cigarettes)?

Electronic cigarettes, or vapes, are battery operated devices that heat a liquid (sometimes called "e-liquid") to produce a vapour that users inhale. They are designed to deliver nicotine and/or other chemicals via an aerosol vapour directly to your lungs.

All e-cigarettes have three basic components: a battery, an atomiser and a fluid cartridge. The fluid used in e-cigarettes usually contains propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine and added flavourings.

Vapes produce harmful chemicals

Studies increasingly show that e-cigarettes emit harmful substances. A single vape can contain the same amount of nicotine as 50 cigarettes. The National Health and Medical Research Council advises that e-cigarettes may expose users to chemicals and toxins such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, particulate matter and flavouring chemicals, at levels that have the potential to cause adverse health effects. For example, propylene glycol and glycerine found in e-cigarettes when overheated can produce dangerous levels of the carcinogens formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

Are e-cigarettes legal?

Since January 1, 2024 there has been a ban on the importation of disposable vapes.  

New vaping legislation passed Federal Parliament in June 2024 that means only pharmacies can sell therapeutic vapes, and any non-pharmacy retailer (tobacconist, vape shop, convenience stores and so forth) cannot sell any type of vape.  

From July 1, 2024, the only legal way to access vapes is with a prescription from a GP or nurse practitioner, and then to purchase a therapeutic vape from a pharmacy.  

From October 1, 2024, vapes will be available behind the counter from a pharmacist, with people over 18 not needing a prescription. Vapes sold in pharmacies are unbranded and the flavours are restricted to only mint, menthol, and tobacco, ensuring they are less appealing to children and young Australians. 

There are new criminal offences that target those who are unlawfully selling vapes.  

The new legislation explicitly states that possession of any form of vape for personal use will not be subject to criminal charges or penalties. 

Do e-cigarettes help you quit smoking?

There is evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes may help some people to quit smoking when used under the close supervision of a doctor providing quit support. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has not approved any e-cigarette product as a cessation aid to help with quitting smoking. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has not evaluated any e-cigarette product for safety, efficacy or quality and so has not approved any e-cigarette product as a cessation aid to help with quitting smoking. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved many other products such as patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray and inhalators as quitting aids that are safe to use and are shown to increase chances of quitting smoking.

Most people successfully quit smoking do so unassisted, supported by population-level policies such as hard-hitting anti-smoking campaigns. Others benefit from direct assistance to quit, such calling Quitline on 13 78 48 or with support from their doctor.

There are concerns vapes may lead to smoking cigarettes among non-smokers. Studies have shown that e-cigarette users were more than three times more likely than non-e-cigarette users to subsequently become tobacco smokers.

Sources

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024), ‘National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023’, AIHW, Australian Government. Available at: https//www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey/contents/about
• National Health and Medical Research Council. CEO statement on electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes). Canberra: NHMRC, 2022. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/attachments/statement‐electronic‐cigarettes.pdf