E-cigarettes and vaping

Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, are battery operated products that replicate smoking.

How e-cigarettes work

• E-cigarettes work by heating a cartridge that contains liquid.
• The heating process creates an aerosol that resembles tobacco smoke.
• E-cigarette aerosol is not water vapour.
• E-cigarettes are commonly called “vapes” and the action of using them “vaping”.

Do you know what you're vaping?

• E-cigarettes may contain:
  • the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray
  • toxins such as formaldehyde and heavy metals
  • flavouring chemicals
• Many e-cigarettes also contain nicotine even if labelled ‘nicotine free’. Nicotine is addictive. The nicotine in one e-cigarette can be equivalent to 50 cigarettes.
• The quality and safety of e-cigarette products has not been assessed and they vary in the amount and type of chemicals they contain.

How e-cigarettes can harm the body

• E-cigarettes can contain corrosive chemicals that do not belong in our lungs.
• Some e-cigarettes have been linked with immediate harms including respiratory illness, serious lung disease and death.
• If e-cigarette products contain nicotine this can cause dependence and increase the risk of anxiety and depression.
• A young person’s brain develops until the age of 25 and is particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine.
• Early exposure to nicotine has been shown to negatively affect the structure and function of the brain.
• E-cigarette use is also a gateway to starting smoking.

Vaping and young people

• Most young Tasmanians don't smoke and don't vape. However, the use of e-cigarettes has increased rapidly among young people in the last few years with one third of secondary student in Tasmania having tried e-cigarettes. 
• Knowing the facts about vaping is part of Tasmania’s approach to respond to e-cigarette use in schools.
• Schools are well placed to help prevent young Tasmanian's from taking up e-cigarettes and supporting those who currently use e-cigarettes to quit.
• Tasmanian schools are required to be smoke free (this also means vape free).

Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package for Tasmanian schools

• The Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package is available for use in all Tasmanian schools.
• The Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package includes professional learning for teachers, support staff, and school health nurses to develop and deliver learning programs about e-cigarettes
• It aims to increase staff knowledge of e-cigarette issues, including health harms, nicotine dependence, environmental concerns, the local regulatory context, and how to talk to young people about e-cigarettes. 
• The Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package includes interactive classroom resources for Year 7 and 8 students that align with the Australian Curriculum, as well as information for parents.
• Teachers, school health staff, and support staff can access the e-learning package via the Tasmania Health Learning Online platform. 
• The Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package was developed by ACT Health. It has been licensed by the Department of Health, Tasmania and updated for a Tasmanian context in collaboration with the Department for Education, Children and Young People, and the Smoke Free Young People Working Group.

Need help to quit vaping or smoking?

• Call the Tasmanian Quitline on 13 78 48 (free service) or visit the Tasmanian Quitline website
• See your doctor or pharmacist for advice on different ways to help with quitting.
• Speak with a trusted person such as family or friends.
• If you are a young person, you can talk to:
  • support person at school such as a school health nurse, teacher, social worker, or psychologist, or
  • youth health worker or nurse at a youth health centre.
• Find more on how to provide support for a person who wants to quit on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website

Information for health professionals 

• The Guide to Supporting Young People to Quit E-cigarettes is now available for health professionals.
• The Guide to Supporting Young People to Quit E-cigarettes is intended to assist health professionals working with young people from ages 12 to 24 to help effectively address their nicotine dependence from e-cigarette use. 
• This includes staff working in schools, alcohol and other drug services, general practice, women's and children's services, oral health services, allied health services, paediatric, youth-oriented community services, pharmacies, and others.
• The Guide contains useful information and resources that can be used by health professionals to help them assess the level of nicotine dependence, apply behavioural strategies, consider when pharmacotherapy may be appropriate and refer locally to appropriate services. 

Do e-cigarettes help people wanting to quit smoking?

• E-cigarettes are not the preferred smoking cessation aids.
• Currently, there is not enough evidence to promote the use of e-cigarettes for stopping smoking. 
• There are no e-cigarette products approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
• If other smoking cessation aids have failed, short-term e-cigarette use may be of benefit to help you quit smoking.
• It is recommended that you speak to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider if you want more information about quitting smoking or phone a Quitline advisor on 13 78 48 (free service).

Smoke free and other e-cigarette laws in Tasmania

• You cannot legally use e-cigarettes in public areas that are smoke free Smoke free also means vape free. Smoke free and vape free signage is available for organisations to display.
• Smoke free also means vape free. Smoke free and vape free signs are available for organisations to display.
• A person under 18 years of age cannot buy, possess, or use e-cigarettes.
• A person over 18 cannot give or sell e-cigarettes to a person under 18.
• You cannot legally advertise or display for sale e-cigarettes in any premises.

Tasmanian e-cigarette (vape) laws

• From 1 October 2024 Tasmania will be retaining the current requirements for supply or access to e-cigarettes, e-liquid or vaping devices (vapes). This means:
• you can still only legally access e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from pharmacies
• adults still need a doctor’s prescription to buy e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices from pharmacies
• it is still illegal to sell e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices to people under 18 years of age
• pharmacies still need a licence to sell e-cigarettes, e-liquid and vaping devices
• Find out more about Tasmanian Smoking product legislation
• Find out more about the National e-cigarette reforms on the TGA website

Resources and more information about e-cigarettes

• Guide to Supporting Young People to Quit E-cigarettes – resources for health professionals
• Vaping, Youth and Health e-learning package for schools
• Do you know what you're vaping? - resources for teachers and schools
• Do you know what you're vaping? - resources for young people
• Do you know what you're vaping? - resources for parents and carers
• Smoke free and vape free signage – for businesses
• Learn about e-cigarettes, health risks, laws and reforms on the Australian Government Department of Health website
• Quit Tasmania – E-cigarettes and vaping
• View the Public Health Act 1997

Acknowledgement

Department of Health Tasmania acknowledges NSW Health’s authorship and ownership of Do you know what you’re vaping? campaign. The campaign and resources are evidence based (see Vaping evidence summary – Tobacco and smoking).