What is vaping? Here's what you need to know

Vapes are small, battery-operated devices that heat vape liquid or ‘juice’. The liquid turns into a chemical vapour that users breathe deeply into their lungs. This is vaping. 

Vapes are sometimes called e-cigarettes and can contain many poisonous chemicals. They are an addictive and harmful product that the tobacco industry has marketed and sold to consumers. 

Vaping laws in Australia

Australia-wide law restricts the sale of vapes. It aims to make it harder for people to sell vapes, especially those with flavours that have been marketed to appeal to children and teenagers. Pharmacies can sell vapes to help people quit smoking.   

Vaping is not allowed in workplaces or public places that are smokefree. 

Watch Lily’s story to see how quitting vaping can lead to a happier, healthier life. 

What is in a vape?

Vape ‘juice’ contains many different chemicals, and the heated vape liquid creates a vapour that’s also full of damaging chemicals including solvents, artificial flavourings and, usually, highly addictive nicotine.  

When you breathe in the vapour, some chemicals stay in your lungs while others enter your bloodstream and carry toxic material through your whole body.  

It could be decades before we understand the long-term harms of vaping, but we already know that vaping may harm the body in various ways, including damage to the: 

• heart 

• brain 

• lungs 

• nervous system 

• teeth and gums. 

Vaping might make young people’s mental health worse, but quitting can create a change for the better. After feelings of withdrawal are gone, many people feel less stressed, less anxious, less depressed, and more positive about life. 

How to stop vaping

The nicotine in most vapes is addictive, and while it can feel tough to quit vaping, the benefits of quitting are almost immediate. Making a quit plan is a great place to start. 

Quit is here for you, whatever your age or wherever you are on your quitting journey. Our experienced Quitline counsellors offer free support, including by phone, text or WhatsApp. Our online resources and apps can help you start – and stay – quit.