E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery operated devices that heat a liquid (e-liquid, also called ‘juice’) until it turns into an aerosol, which the user then inhales. Using a vape is called vaping. They come in all shapes and sizes and can look like a highlighter, pen or USB.
Vape aerosol is not harmless water vapour. It is a fine spray of chemicals, that enter the body via the lungs, and small particles that can lodge in the lungs.
Vapes contain many different chemicals none of which have been tested to show they are safe to inhale. Some of these chemicals are the same chemicals as those found in cleaning products, weed killer and bug spray. The aerosol can also contain heavy metals shed from the heating coil inside the device.
Many illegally obtained vapes are labelled ‘nicotine-free’ but do in fact contain nicotine. The amount of nicotine varies; one vape can contain the same amount of nicotine as 200 cigarettes.
Nicotine addiction
Nicotine is a toxic, highly addictive chemical. When inhaled it activates brain receptors which release a feel-good chemical called dopamine. This makes a person who vapes feel good, positively reinforcing nicotine use which then leads to addiction.
When someone becomes addicted to nicotine, their brain and body start needing nicotine to feel satisfied and work normally.
Known health risks of vaping
- Irritation of the mouth and airways
- Persistent coughing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and headaches
- Respiratory problems and permanent lung damage
- Harm to the developing adolescent brain
- Nicotine dependence
- Vaping can lead to smoking – non-smokers who vape are 3X more likely to take up smoking cigarettes
The long-term health impacts of vaping remain unknown
Can vapes help people to quit smoking?
If you are wondering whether vapes can help you quit smoking, speak to your doctor or nurse practitioner – they can provide advice about suitable options to help you quit smoking.
Nicotine vaping products are not ‘first line’ treatments for stopping smoking; there are many other products available to quit smoking that are known to be safe and effective.
While some people may have successfully quit smoking using vapes, the overall evidence of the effectiveness of these products as a smoking cessation aid remains limited.
Benefits of quitting vapes
- You’ll be free from nicotine dependence
- Feel better
- Able to breathe better
- Feel fitter / more energy / able to exercise
- More money
What support is there to help me quit vapes?
- Talk to your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist for advice on different ways to help with quitting
- Quitline 13 7848 can help with tips and strategies – request a call from them here
- Download My QuitBuddy. This free app has practical tips and advice and also tracks how much money you save over time when you quit
- Explore Quit Tasmania’s website for practical advice and support
Further information:
Tasmanian e-cigarette (vape) laws
From 1 October 2024 Tasmania will be retaining the current requirements for supply or access to e-cigarettes, e-liquid or vaping devices (vapes). This means:
- you can still only legally access e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from pharmacies
- adults still need a doctor’s prescription to buy e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from pharmacies
- it is still illegal to sell e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices to people under 18 years of age
- pharmacies still need a licence to sell e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices
NB: These may change so to find out more visit: Tasmanian Smoking product legislation
National reforms and law may be different to Tasmania to find out more visit: National e-cigarette reforms on the TGA website
Smoke-free areas in Tasmania
Fast Fact Sheets: see below (click to view and download)
Do you use vapes?
If you’d like to quit vapes, or would like more information, we can support you with that.
Read here to find out how the Tasmanian Quitline 13 7848 can support you if you’d like to quit vapes.
