When you come to a stop at traffic lights, do you ever feel the overwhelming urge to turn around and look at the car next to you? The other day this uncontrollable instinct rotated my field of view. The road ahead, inclusive of a red light and upcoming underpass, changed as my field of vision turned to absorb a view of the person in an adjacent car. Alarmingly, it seemed as if the old but reasonably well-kept Holden Commodore to my left was significantly aflame and in the process of incineration. A vast cloud of smoke rose from the slightly ajar driver’s side window. Concerned, I feared for the driver’s safety, not because the car was on fire but because, as it became all too obvious, the young person inside was vaping.
The practice of vaping is increasing amongst young people. A recent Australian National Drug Strategy Survey showed vape use doubled among 14 to 17-year-olds in the three years from 2016 to 2019 - possibly as a substitute for rebelliously smoking cigarettes, perhaps as just a trendy “Tik Tok” kind of thing to do. Anecdotally it would appear that this fad has not slowed.
It’s reasonable to think that substituting tobacco smoke, with its myriad of proven cancer inducing components, for a simple unburnt vapour might be a good thing. E-cigarettes or vapes may look innocuous but they may not be as safe as they seem.
Most e-cigarettes are comprised of four basic components –
• a cartridge containing a liquid solution (vape juice or E-Liquid)
• a heating element
• a power source
• a mouthpiece to enable inhalation of the vapour produced
Puffing activates the battery-powered heating device, which vaporises the liquid in the cartridge. The resulting vapour is then inhaled, hence the term, vaping.
Vape juice can contain flavourings and or nicotine in varying amounts as well as other chemicals including propylene glycol, a wetting agent found in paint, and formaldehyde an ingredient used in glue.
Nicotine is known to be a highly addictive drug and one that can harm a developing adolescent brain. Regions of the brain affected control attention, learning, mood and impulse control.
Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids Teens and Young Adults
E-liquid or vape juice liquid containing nicotine is only legally importable into Australia with a valid prescription from an Australian doctor. Additionally, the Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration website states that “It was, and remains, illegal for other Australian retailers (such as tobacconists, 'vape' shops or convenience stores) to sell nicotine vaping products to consumers, even if the consumer has a valid doctor's prescription”. Unfortunately, there are means to obtain it. While nicotine vaping may be difficult it’s not impossible for young people to engage in.
Far easier to obtain, and perhaps more insidious, because of the appeal and availability, is flavoured vape juice. A quick search uncovers vividly coloured containers labelled, Strawberry, Green Apple, Ice Watermelon and Gummy Bears, to name just a few. These flavourings are most likely reasonably harmless when consumed as part of a journey through your digestive system. Stomachs and intestines are appropriately equipped to quickly break down many chemicals. Lungs on the other hand are not, particularly when substances are vaporised and inhaled. Research indicates an increased likelihood of long-term health effects including increased susceptibility to infection, scarring of the lungs leading to decreased lung function and potentially lung disease.
At Eddies we are not an island and vaping as well as its effects are sadly as much relevant to us as to any other school. Matters such as these are best approached in partnership. The College will work to educate our young men about the dangers of vaping, dealing with incidents as they occur, and your support will greatly assist in minimising harm.
Marketing through social media, targeted advertising, as well as a certain experimental "this is cool" factor, tend to diminish the potential danger of this trend. I encourage parents and caregivers to take the opportunity to engage in conversation about subjects such as these. In the car or at the dinner table, a reasoned discussion and a fruitful exchange can sometimes make the difference.
Valuable information may be found at Lung Foundation Australia.
