We spoke with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to find out more.
The Australian Government is taking steps to protect young people from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence – which is why the Youth Vaping Education Campaign launched in 2024.
The campaign aims to increase awareness about the health harms of vaping, including nicotine addiction among young people aged 14 to 24 years old. It also aims to prevent uptake and encourage young people to quit vaping and access resources to cut back or quit.
With the help of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, we answered some of your top questions about vaping and its impact on young people.
What is vaping?
E-cigarettes (more commonly known as vapes) are battery-operated devices that make an aerosol by heating liquid chemicals that users breathe in.
What’s in a vape?
Over 200 unique chemicals have been found in illegal vapes, including formaldehyde, nicotine and heavy metals. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer.
Vaping can cause serious health issues like breathing problems, persistent coughing and permanent lung damage. Most vapes in Australia contain nicotine (even if the packaging says they don’t!), which is highly addictive.
Vaping can expose people to very high levels of nicotine. This is particularly dangerous for young people as it can:
- harm the developing brain, which is still developing into your mid to late 20s
- rewire brain chemistry so it becomes more addicted to nicotine, and more prone to other addictions
- affect attention, learning, and memory, and
- affect mood.
What can vaping do to your health?
Vaping can impact your health and well-being, even if you only do it for a short time.
Some of the health harms you can experience include:
- lung inflammation and throat irritation
- persistent coughing
- breathing problems such as shortness of breath and wheezing, which can also decrease physical performance
- feeling nauseous
- swelling, bleeding and redness of the gums, and
- feeling anxious or irritable because of nicotine withdrawals.
How is the campaign reaching young people?
Campaign advertising is running on a range of channels, including online videos on Netflix, Twitch, gaming platforms, Snapchat and Tik Tok.
You might have also seen posters in and around schools, on the bus, train or light rail, and in shopping centres. Or heard the ads on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
Did you talk to young people before or during the campaign? What did they say?
Yes! The campaign is informed by a robust evidence base and research with young people to understand their attitudes and behaviours to ensure the campaign resonates.
Young people said they related to the scenarios shown in the campaign advertising and that it made them think about the health harms and financial cost of vaping.
They also said the quitting support messaging was motivating and encouraged them to quit with a friend.
What does research say about vaping?
Research shows that vaping is harmful to your health:
Most vapes contain nicotine, which can rewire the developing brain and quickly lead to addiction
Young people who vape are significantly more likely to take up smoking later
Studies link vaping to breathing problems and lung damage.
Are vapes legal?
In 2024, the law changed so that all vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy to help people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. These are called therapeutic vapes.
It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product. Even if the vape doesn’t contain nicotine.
People under 18 years need a prescription to access therapeutic vapes, where clinically appropriate, and if allowed under state and territory laws.
How do I quit or help someone else to quit?
Quitting vaping is a major step toward improving physical and mental health and wellbeing.
If you’re currently trying to quit or know someone who is, they might be having cravings and find it difficult to give it up. Remind yourself why quitting is good for you and that it is ok if it takes a few tries to be completely vape-free.
Finding the right support can help you to quit successfully. There are lots of options and resources to support and motivate you to quit vaping. Visiting the link in our bio is a good place to start!
