Many families are unaware of the potential harms of inhaling unregulated vapes.

“Some of the key figures behind Australia’s world renowned national campaign against tobacco say they are alarmed by the rapid rise in people vaping and the ballooning black market.”

Wrote Remy Varga, Reporter, The Weekend Australian November 26 2022.

CCSP is aware of this growing issue and has been providing support for families. The 2021 Term 3 edition of Parent Talk has a link to a podcast where Paul Dillon, Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia (DATA) discusses Drugs, Alcohol and Vaping with Jennifer Coen, Senior Manager Wellbeing Catholic Schools NSW. Parent Talk Issue 4 Term 2 2022 provides additional information about Vaping with links to support services to help your child quit vaping. On November 17 CCSP, in collaboration with the Diocese of Maitland- Newcastle Federation of P&F Associations, we welcomed Paul Dillon to present a webinar Vaping – “short and sweet”. Paul Dillon provided attendees with up-to-date and accurate information on the use of e-cigarettes and vaping, including the potential harms associated with the use of these devices. You can access an information sheet e-cigarettes and vaping from the DATA website here.

Fast Facts

• There are many different types of e-cigarettes, or vapes.
• Disposable vapes appear to be the devices preferred by Australian young people.
• These are usually brightly coloured and are available in a wide range of flavours.
• They are also small and easy to conceal, making them appealing to those young people who wish to vape without detection.
• Black market vapes and e-cigarettes, most of which contain nicotine and are made in China, continue to be sold at tobacconists and convenience stores. 
• 18 million devices are shipped weekly from Shenzhen China where there is little or no regulation.
• In Australia, it is illegal to buy, process or use liquid nicotine for vaping without a medical prescription

Remy Varga'sarticle in The Australia continued 

Some of the key figures behind Australia’s world renowned national campaign against tobacco say they are alarmed by the rapid rise in people vaping and the ballooning black market. 

Former federal health minister Michael Wooldridge – who served between 1996 and 2001 under then prime minister John Howard – unified state and territory bodies as well as the different anti-smoking groups behind the campaign. 

Mr Wooldridge told The Weekend Australian the rising use of vapes and e-cigarettes was a disaster that risked unwinding 40-years of tobacco control in Australia. 

“I would say with vaping there is a degree of urgency,” he said. 

“We now have a million people vaping and in 12 months time we might have two million.”

Mr Wooldridge said the solution was in controlling, not prohibiting, vaping and that while he agreed with the current medical model the regulations needed to be enforced by both federal and state authorities. 

If you have concerns regarding your children vaping speak with them and then seek professional assistance.