Vaping

Vapes (or e-cigarettes) are devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol that users inhale. Some vapes contain nicotine (even if it is not listed as an ingredient on the label [47541]). Vaping prevalence in Australia, especially among young people, has increased greatly in recent years [40728]. The evidence is still emerging about the harms of vaping, and is currently insufficient to be sure of the long-term harms. It is currently known that vaping may cause:

• injuries (poisoning, burns and seizures)
• e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI)
• nicotine dependence
• increased uptake of tobacco use among non-smokers [46823].

In Australia, you can only purchase nicotine vapes or nicotine refills if you are an adult with a valid prescription [44426]. The evidence for whether vaping is an effective method for quitting smoking is still not clear and it is not recommended as a first-line treatment [46982].

Data on vaping prevalence is limited. Figures from 2018/19 indicated that less than one in ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults had tried vaping, and around 1 in 100 currently vaped. Vaping is more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are younger, male and living in non-remote areas [40033].

For a summary of statistical information updated annually on vaping among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, see the latest Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status.