E-Cigarettes

• Battery-operated devices that heat a liquid to create aerosol (“vapour”) for inhalation.
• Known as: vapes, e-cigs, vape pens, e-hookahs, ENDS, ENNDS, ANDS, NVPs, personal vaporisers.
• May resemble cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, or USB sticks.

🔹 Health Risks of Vaping

• Not safe – associated with serious health problems.
• Most products contain nicotine, even when labelled “nicotine-free”.
• Nicotine harms adolescent brain development (attention, learning, memory, mood).
• Other harmful chemicals found in vapes:
  • formaldehyde (used in industrial glues and for preserving corpses in hospitals and funeral homes)
  • acetone (generally found in nail polish remover)
  • acetaldehyde (used in chemicals, perfumes, and plastics)
  • acrolein (commonly found in weedkiller)
  • heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead.
  • propylene glycol – a solvent used in fog/smoke machines
  • polyester compounds
  • anti-freeze – used in the coolant of a car
  • vegetable glycerin – a liquid from vegetable fat.

▪ Known Health Effects

• Airway and oral irritation
• Chronic cough, nausea, vomiting
• Nicotine toxicity: poisoning, seizures
• Risk of lung damage and respiratory disease
• Explosions or burns from faulty devices
• Increased risk of:
  • DNA damage
  • Cancer (e.g. from aldehydes and metals)
  • Heart disease
• Nicotine withdrawal:
  • anxiety
  • mood changes
  • restlessness
  • poor concentration

🔹 Vaping and Young People

• Vaping rates increasing among adolescents.
• Strong link with future cigarette smoking.
• Second-hand aerosol exposure is also a concern.
• Many youth users are dual users (vape + tobacco) → higher exposure to toxins.

🔹 Role in Smoking Cessation

• Not a first-line treatment.
• Evidence for efficacy is limited and inconsistent.
• Safer, evidence-based alternatives exist (e.g. NRT, varenicline).
• Must be used under medical advice, especially in minors.

🔹 Legal Reforms (Effective 1 July 2024)

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-09/vaping-fact-sheet-for-prescribers.pdf

• All vapes (nicotine or non-nicotine) can only be sold in pharmacies.
• Purpose: quitting smoking or managing nicotine dependence.
• Non-pharmacy retailers (e.g. tobacconists, vape shops, convenience stores) cannot legally sell vapes.
• Sale of single-use disposable vapes is not permitted, even in pharmacies.

▪ From 1 October 2024

• All ages: Need a prescription for nicotine concentration >20 mg/mL.
• Adults (≥18): Can buy vapes nicotine ≤20 mg/mL without prescription, but only after pharmacist consultation.
• Pharmacists must:
  • Confirm age (ID)
  • Discuss dosage and quitting alternatives
  • May refuse sale (not obligated)
• Only 1-month supply allowed per month.

▪ Additional Restrictions

• Under 18s: Need prescription.
• Nicotine >20 mg/mL: Requires prescription at any age.
• Flavours restricted: Mint, menthol, tobacco only.
• Plain packaging required (like pharmaceuticals).

🔹 Enforcement and Penalties

• Focus on suppliers, not individual users.
• Personal possession (including by minors) not penalised.
• Illegal supply can be reported to the TGA.
• Illicit tobacco sales should be reported via the ATO.