Key points
- Vapes or e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat liquid into an aerosol or mist.
- Most vapes contain nicotine, along with other harmful chemicals.
- In most cases, it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to buy or use vapes.
- Vaping can make people feel more anxious, stressed or depressed; it can also make it harder to breathe.
- Nicotine use can affect brain development in young people under 25 and increase their risk of future addiction.
- The long-term effects of vaping are not yet known.
- There are lots of support services to help young people quit vaping.
- New laws in Australia mean vapes are now harder to buy, but teens are still finding ways to get them.
- Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your teen finds it hard to breathe or has ingested vape liquid.
What is vaping?
Vapes or e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices containing liquid, sometimes called vape juice or e-juice. The battery heats the liquid to make an aerosol or mist. Vaping is the act of breathing in this aerosol.
There are two main types of vapes: disposable (single-use) and refillable. Young people more commonly use disposable vapes.
Figure one: Different types of vapes.
Most vapes contain nicotine – even if they are labelled ‘nicotine-free.’ Nicotine is the same addictive chemical found in regular cigarettes. Vapes can also have other active ingredients like marijuana.
In Australia, it is illegal for shops to sell vapes in sweet flavours like lollies or fruit. The only legal flavours for sale are unflavoured, mint, menthol and tobacco. If your teen uses a flavoured vape, it is illegal and could contain many toxic chemicals.
Generally, it is against the law for people under age 18 to buy or use vapes and vaping products.
Why do young people vape?
Teens and young people may vape for different reasons, such as:
- Curiosity
- Pressure from their friends
- Friendship and inclusion
- Exposure to marketing
- Seeking positive feelings
- Avoiding negative feelings
- Nicotine dependence.
Why is vaping bad?
Health professionals do not yet know the long-term effects of vaping. This is because vapes have not been available for very long, and there is not enough completed research looking at the medical impacts. However, scientists are very concerned about
the possible effects of vaping based on what they know about nicotine and other chemicals in vapes.
Some chemicals often found in vapes include:
- Nicotine: An extremely addictive substance that affects brain development in people under 25 and may increase their risk of future addiction to other drugs.
- Formaldehyde: An ingredient in cleaning liquids, known to cause cancer.
- Acetone: A key ingredient in a lot of nail polish removers.
- Benzene: A cancer-causing ingredient in bug spray and weed killer.
One cartridge of vape liquid can have as much nicotine as one or two packs of cigarettes.
Possible health effects of vaping
If your teen vapes, they may:
- feel more stressed, anxious or depressed
- have a constant urge to vape because of the nicotine or other ingredients
- develop lung problems like a cough, shortness of breath or permanent damage
- have trouble sleeping
- feel nauseous or dizzy.
Vapes can be dangerous if they overheat. In rare cases, vapes can explode and cause burns.
People may get nicotine poisoning (nic sick) from accidentally swallowing vape liquid or vaping too much. Nicotine poisoning is a medical emergency.
Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your teen finds it hard to breathe or has ingested vape liquid.
Nicotine use
Signs of nicotine dependence
Young people who vape can easily get addicted to nicotine. This is called nicotine dependence. The more they vape, the more their brain and body get used to having nicotine, and the harder it is to go without it. When they stop vaping, the nicotine level
in their body drops, which may cause physical symptoms and a strong urge to vape.
Nicotine withdrawal
Nicotine withdrawal can happen when someone stops vaping; this is because the body and brain are not used to going without the chemical.
Some common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:
- feeling irritable or restless
- having headaches
- feeling anxious or depressed
- trouble concentrating
- problems sleeping
- intense urge to vape.
Protecting teens from vaping and e-cigarettes
As a parent and caregiver, you have an important role in protecting teens from vaping and setting a good example.
Avoid smoking or vaping in the house, car or other places where there may be children nearby. Passive exposure to vaping aerosol can cause harm. Try to limit how much you smoke or vape in front of teens, too.
In most Australian states and territories, it is illegal to vape in cars with children under the age of 16.
Make sure you keep vapes and e-liquids locked away and out of reach. Children can get poisoned if they swallow vape liquid.
How to help your teen quit vaping
Quitting vaping looks different for everyone. Some people need support from doctors or specialist services, while others can cut down and eventually stop on their own. The key to helping your teen is to listen to them and avoid shaming them on the topic.
This may only make them more secretive.
Encourage your teen to speak with a doctor or pharmacist for advice or call Quitline on 137 848. They can also use a free app run by Quitline called ‘My QuitBuddy'.
Teens with nicotine dependence may find it easier to quit vaping using a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) along with behaviour support. NRT is safe
to use for those over age 12 and helps reduce symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. A doctor or Quitline counsellor can advise about this approach.
If your teen wants direct support from you, it may help to talk through the ways they can cut down or stop vaping. You can also teach them about different distraction and stress-management techniques they could use when they feel the urge to vape. Try
to reassure them throughout their quitting journey.
Advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
There are dedicated services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teens who want to quit vaping, with staff from Community.
- Aboriginal Quitline provides counselling to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people quit vaping or smoking. Your teen can call Aboriginal Quitline on 13 78 48 and ask to speak with an Aboriginal counsellor.
- There are Facebook pages to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people quit vaping and smoking: Aboriginal Quitline and Koori Quitline (NSW).
- Tackling Indigenous Smoking (TIS) teams across Australia run programs and share information on quitting smoking and vaping for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You or your
teen can reach out to your local TIS team for support.
- WellMob shares social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They are a great source of information if your teen needs mental health support in their quitting
journey.
Vaping and e-cigarettes
Common questions about vaping
Are there other names for vapes?
There are many other names for vapes besides e-cigarettes. Some of these are electronic cigarettes, e-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS), alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS),
vape pens and e-hookahs. A ‘dab pen’ is a vape-like device specifically for cannabis.
What do vapes look like?
Vapes come in various shapes and sizes. Some are big and bulky, while others are compact and look like everyday household items such as highlighters, pens or USB sticks.
Do vapes make water vapour?
It is a common myth that vapes create water vapour. The aerosol that vapes produce contains tiny particles from hundreds of chemicals, including some known to cause cancer.
What is the difference between vaping and smoking?
Vaping heats liquid to make a mist, whereas smoking burns tobacco to make smoke. The process of burning tobacco is a chemical reaction called 'combustion.' It is hotter than the temperature vapes heat liquid to. Both vaping and smoking deliver
nicotine. However, they contain different chemicals.
Are vapes illegal in Australia?
Vapes are not illegal in Australia, but there are strict laws about their sale and use. In 2024, the Australian government introduced new laws around the sale of vapes. It is now illegal for retail stores to sell any vapes – even if the vapes
claim to be nicotine-free.
All vapes in Australia are now only for sale at pharmacies, and they can only be purchased by people who need help quitting smoking or managing nicotine dependence. In some states, teens under 18 can get a doctor's prescription for vapes.
How do I talk to my teen about the health risks of vaping?
Talking with your teen about risky behaviours is an important way to help keep them safe. You are probably already speaking to them about alcohol, smoking and drugs; it
is just a matter of adding vaping to these conversations.
The earlier and more often you speak with your teen about vaping, the more likely they are to listen. Try to avoid shaming them or focusing too much on fear-based messages. Be curious – open and relaxed discussions are usually best. For example,
you could ask questions about whether their friends vape and how they feel about it, or if any of their friends are addicted to vapes and whether they have tried to quit.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Adolescent Medicine department, with input from the Respiratory department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed August 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.