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]). Other components include chemicals from flavourings and e-liquids which become toxic when heated as an aerosol [51755].  Vaping prevalence in Australia, especially among young people, has increased greatly in recent years [40728].

Long term harms:

• the evidence is still emerging about the long term harms of vaping however there is strong evidence that e-cigarettes expose users of vapes to carcinogens and is likely to cause cancer particularly of the the lung and throat [51755].

Short term harms:

• 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]. Vaping is not recommended as an effective first-line method for quitting smoking [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.