Vaping refers to the use of an electronic device that heats a liquid turning it into an aerosol (vapour) which the user inhales.

HOW IS VAPING DIFFERENT TO SMOKING?

Vaping is different from smoking, which involves burning tobacco leaves to produce smoke. Both vaping and smoking deliver nicotine, but it is the burning of tobacco that causes most of the harm. However, vaping is not completely harmless.

WHAT’S IN VAPE LIQUID?

The vaping liquid (also called e-liquid) typically contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, plus flavours and the option of nicotine.

• Propylene glycol creates a throat sensation similar to smoking.
• A higher ratio vegetable glycerine gives more vapour.
• Different flavours are added for personal preference and flavours must be water-soluble. Flavours other than tobacco extracts must meet food standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code 2002.

WHAT IS A VAPE DEVICE?

Vape devices are also known as e-cigarettes. There are two types, both of which need charging:

• Discreet pod or pen devices are mouth-to-lung devices. Pod devices have a battery and a disposable e-liquid cartridge. Pen devices have a battery, a tank that refills with liquid, and a coil that heats the vapour.
• More complex tank devices are direct-to-lung devices and are the ones that can make big clouds.

HOW VAPING HELPS SMOKERS

Vaping can help smokers quit by delivering nicotine. Vaping is much less harmful to smokers than smoking. Vaping is the only way to quit smoking.

A NOTE ON HEATED TOBACCO DEVICES

Tobacco companies have developed devices that heat tobacco instead of burning it. These are different from vaping devices, which heat a liquid that may contain nicotine. Because these devices heat tobacco instead of burning it, they are likely to produce far fewer toxins than regular cigarette smoking.  

They are marketed as less harmful than smoking. Compared to vaping products, there is relatively little research on the risks and benefits of many of these heated tobacco products.