Vaping

The impact on our health

8 Sep 2023

News 3 min read

Three friends are walking down the street they are drinking coffee. One person looks like they've told a joke as the other two are laughing and smiling affectionately at them.

Breathing in the aerosols from e-cigarettes can lodge fine metal particles deep into our lungs

This increases the risk of lung injuries, seizures, asthma attacks, bronchitis and in rare cases, death.

A single disposable e-cigarette product (vape) can contain as much nicotine as 50 traditional cigarettes and cost as little as $5.

This is alarming when we know that nicotine is highly addictive and can impede brain development.

In addition to the damage vaping can do to physical health, it can also impact mental health. Growing international research shows vaping increases the risk of mood and anxiety disorders and can worsen symptoms of depression.

Vapes contain up to 200 dangerous chemicals

Video descriptive transcript

Video plays, we see the words:

Vapes contain up to 200 dangerous chemicals that are inhaled deep into the lungs.

A cloud of vape smoke fills the screen.

Toxic ingredients are listed:

Acrolein. Found in weed killer
Acetonitrile. Found in car exhaust fumes
Arsenic. Found in rat poison
Cadmium. Found in batteries
Formaldehyde. Found in preservatives in morgues
Benzene. Found in gasoline
Chlorine. Found in bleach
Glyoxal. Found in hospital-grade disinfectant
Toluene. Found in aviation fuel
Xylene. Found in paint stripper.

We see the words:

Know what you're really vaping.

We see the URL:

vichealth.vic.gov.au/article/vaping

Video ends.

Chemicals hiding in a vape

Acrolein

Found in weed killer

Acetonitrile

Found in car exhaust fumes

Arsenic

Found in rat poison

Cadmium

Found in batteries

Formaldehyde

Found in preservatives in morgues

Benzene

Found in gasoline

Chlorine

Found in bleach

Glyoxal

Found in hospital-grade disinfectant

Toluene

Found in aviation fuel

Xylene

Found in paint stripper

“The impact of vaping on my son and his friend's mental health has been very obvious and quite extreme. His symptoms included agitation, anxiety, vomiting and a loss of appetite.”

Mena

mother of 14-year-old boy

Watch Dr. Sandro Demaio and Dr. Lexi Frydenberg talk about what support is available to people wanting to quit or simply get more information on vaping.

How to talk to your kids about vaping

Tips and ideas

Expert tips and conversation guide

Vaping and mental health

Help is available

One study found current e-cigarette users have double the odds of a depression diagnosis compared to those who have never vaped.

If your kids are experiencing mental health challenges related to vaping, we encourage you to get support from Quit via their website or phone 13 7848.

There are a range of youth mental health services available for young people including;

Quitline

If your kids are experiencing mental health challenges related to vaping, we encourage you to get support from Quitline - either call 13 7848, or visit quit.org.au to easily access resources for your current situation - from thinking about quitting and staying on track, to support for if you're smoking again, or to help others.

Headspace

Telephone support, information and resources for young people aged 12 – 25, including physical, mental, and sexual health, and drug and alcohol services.
1800 650 890

Black Dog Institute

Support and informative articles on various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and self-harm.

Kids Helpline

Support and counselling service for children aged 5 to 25, parents, carers and teachers.
1800 55 1800