Last year saw dramatic changes to regulations around the sale of e-cigarettes or ‘vapes’ that aimed at slowing Australia’s growing addiction.

However with user numbers failing to drop, the government has shifted to an educational approach, warning secondary students of the risks of vaping. 

The ‘Get the Facts’ vaping toolkit will see students, parents, carers and young people learning the facts and dangers of e-cigarettes, which can contain harmful substances found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that research has proven that e-cigarettes are just as addictive and harmful as regular cigarettes. 

“A respiratory researcher once told me that e-vaping liquids have chemicals that are similar to antifreeze, with 500 different flavours to attract kids,” Mr Hazzard said. 

In October of 2021, the NSW government introduced new vaping laws that made the sale of e-cigarettes with nicotine illegal, reserved only for pharmacies to supply customers with a prescription from a doctor. 

Despite the law changes, nicotine-filled vape usage across the state has remained steady.

While the illegal status of using e-cigarettes containing nicotine means that data hasn’t been recorded on current usage, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation recorded that in 2019, 14 per cent of 12 to 17 year olds had tried vapes. 

NSW Health continues to take action against retailers who sell e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine. 

Over 100,000 e-cigarettes worth an estimated street value of over $2 million were seized from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021. 

The Vaping Toolkit aims to combat the growth in use, particularly among young people. 

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell urged parents to discuss the dangers of e-cigarettes - including potential long-term effects to the physical and brain development of young people - with their children. 

“The number of young people vaping without consideration to the effects is concerning. I encourage all parents and young people to find out more and talk about the hidden, dangerous impacts of e-cigarettes,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“Educating our young people about the dangers of vaping is essential when there continues to be a large number of reckless individuals selling nicotine products to minors.”

There are severe penalties for business or others who provide them to minors, including fines of up to $11,000 for individuals, and up to $55,000 for corporations, for first offences.