Giving and getting support

First introduced in 2003, vapes (or e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that work by heating a cartridge of vape liquid to vapour, which is then inhaled by the user. They can often look similar to cigarettes, cigars, highlighter pens or USBs. 

Due to the relative newness to the market, researchers are still learning what long-term effects vapes have on our health. 

It has already been found that some vaping devices contain high levels of nicotine, equating to the same amounts contained in 20 packets of cigarettes. This makes vapes highly addictive and hard to quit. 

Marketed to our young people, tobacco companies use a variety of techniques to draw in younger audiences. These techniques include brightly coloured packaging, flavoured liquids and often a much lower price point than traditional cigarettes, while also promoting inaccurate levels of nicotine (often much higher than advertised). 

In 2024, the Australian Government changed the law for selling a vape or vape liquid to a person under the age of 18, whether or not it contains nicotine.

There are hundreds of chemicals found in vapes, including: 

• Carcinogenic chemicals – Hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals 

• Flavouring – vapes may include flavouring that’s safe in food and drinks but not safe when inhaled.

• Formaldehyde – a chemical used to stop decomposition and preserve corpses. 

• Heavy metals – metals such as lead and nickel, which have been found in even greater quantities than what exists in cigarettes. 

• Nicotine – the addiction-causing chemical found in cigarettes 

• Solvents – a substance used in cleaning products, and acetone (nail polish remover). 

• Volatile organic compounds – chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and give off VOCs are found in many common household products, such as paints and cleaning products.

Nicotine 

Nicotine is a major addictive chemical, and evidence has shown that even vapes labelled as nicotine-free can contain nicotine. New vaping devices that have high levels of nicotine can have the same amount of nicotine as 20 packets of cigarettes.   

Nicotine works by triggering the brain to release dopamine (the chemical that makes you feel happy) after inhalation. This leads to vapers wanting to feel this again and again, becoming a craving. 

Are you ready to quit? 

Yarn with your GP or local Community Controlled Health Service for a confidential yarn about quitting. 

Quitline is also available to all Mob looking to quit vaping or smoking. Quitline offers culturally relevant support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contact 13 7848 to have a confidential yarn about quitting. 

Learn more about how to quit here.