E-cigarettes and vaping

The main ingredients in vapes are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine or glycerol, along with nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals.

Vapes may also contain harmful substances that aren’t listed on the packaging.

What are you really vaping?

Vaping is not safe. When you vape, you can be exposed to:

• nicotine (an addictive substance)
• cancer-causing chemicals
• chemicals also found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weedkiller and bug spray
• toxins such as formaldehyde
• heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead
• ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause inflammation
• flavouring chemicals such as diacetyl; a chemical linked to serious lung disease
• volatile organic compounds linked to asthma and cancer.

Visit Clear the Air (external site) to learn more about the toxic and addictive chemicals in vapes.

In the short term, vaping can cause throat irritation, coughing and breathing problems. It can also cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and lung inflammation.

Regular vaping can lead to nicotine dependence, reduce fitness levels, and affect mental health. It has also been linked to serious lung damage.

Nicotine can harm the developing brain

Most vapes contain nicotine which can impact brain development, which continues until around age 25.

Nicotine changes the way nerve connections are formed in young people, which can affect the parts of the brain that control learning, attention, memory and mood.

Mental health risks

Vaping nicotine can increase anxiety, stress and make symptoms of depression and anxiety worse.

Regular nicotine use can also make young people more susceptible to experiencing mental health issues.

Nicotine poisoning

Nicotine is toxic, even in small amounts. Poisoning can occur if nicotine is swallowed, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled. This can be severe and life-threatening, especially for babies and young children.

If you think someone has nicotine poisoning:

• call the WA Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately (24 hours a day)
• call 000 in an emergency.

For more information see the WA Poisons Information Centre (external site).

Second-hand exposure to harmful substances

When someone is vaping, people nearby can also be exposed to harmful chemicals from the second-hand aerosol that is exhaled.

It is against the law to vape in places where smoking is prohibited, including public transport, restaurants, shopping centres, bars and clubs.

Vapes have even been known to explode causing serious burns

There have been cases reported where vapes have overheated, caught fire and exploded. This can cause serious burns, injuries and trauma.

Most vapes contain high levels of nicotine, similar to cigarettes. Nicotine dependence can develop quickly and make it difficult to stop vaping.

Symptoms of nicotine dependence include:

• irritability
• anxiety
• experiencing intense cravings to vape
• lack of concentration
• difficulty sleeping.

View the Nicotine dependence factsheet (PDF 263KB) to learn more.

Young people who vape are three times as likely to start smoking

Young people who vape are more likely to use other tobacco products.

Research shows young people are three times as likely to start smoking if they already vape.

In Western Australia, vapes can only be legally supplied by a registered pharmacy with a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. This includes all vaping devices, substances and accessories, with or without nicotine.

It is against the law for shops like tobacconists, vape stores, online shops and convenience stores to sell or supply vapes.

To report suspected illegal sales contact the Department of Health at Report.TVRD@health.wa.gov.au or report anonymously to CrimeStoppers (1800 333 000) (external site).

Young people

Quitting nicotine has many benefits, like better mood, and lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

View the Stress and anxiety factsheet (PDF 230KB) for ways to cope with stress and anxiety instead of vaping.

If you need information or support to stop vaping, speak with your parents, teacher or student services staff. You can also:

• Visit Clear the Air (external site) for more information about how to quit vaping and stay vape-free (external site), or to take the ‘Am I addicted?’ Quiz (external site).
• Contact the WA Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT), or via web chat (external site).
• View the Quit support factsheet for young people (PDF 274KB)

Other support services include:

• Headspace (external site) provides information, support and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years, including for mental health and wellbeing, and alcohol and other drug use. 
• Kids Helpline (external site) provides confidential online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25 years any time (available 24/7) for any reason. Phone 1800 55 1800

Parents and carers

If you suspect your child is vaping, take the time to talk to them about it and help them understand all of the risks.

Try to start the conversation with your child in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from around you, such as a note from school, a news story about it, or seeing people vaping on the street. And have your facts ready.

If your child is vaping, encourage them to stop and let them know that help is available, and you are there for them. Stopping vaping can sometimes be hard and your child may need advice from a GP.

For information and support you can also contact the WA Quitline (external site) on 13 7848 (13 QUIT). Quitline counsellors can answer any questions you may have about e-cigarettes and can help you think of ways to approach the conversation.

Learn more:

• Nicotine dependence and vaping (factsheet for parents and carers) (PDF 291KB)
• Quit support (factsheet for parents and carers) (PDF 254KB)