Health risks

Did you know?

In 2022, the NSW Poisons Information Centre received 365 calls about e-cigarette exposure. Almost 75% of those calls were for people under 19 years.

  • in 2016, there were just 33 calls. That’s an 11-time increase in 6 years
  • smoking is the most preventable cause of illness and death in Australia
  • over the last 30 years, Australia has successfully reduced the smoking rate from 24% to 11%.

 

Vapes contain various chemicals and nicotine at unpredictable levels. This can be harmful to the user and those around them. In addition to internal health risks, vapes can also cause physical burns in both adults and children. The evidence of harmful effects of e-cigarette use is growing stronger.

Health effects of vaping and smoking

Nicotine dependence or addiction

Adolescents and young adults exposed to nicotine can become dependent on nicotine, even when exposed to low levels. Nicotine may have direct toxic effects on the developing brain, impacting on young people's learning, attention and memory.

Nicotine poisoning

Nicotine poisoning, also known as nicotine toxicity, can be severe or fatal in some cases.

  • small doses can cause gastrointestinal issues or life-threatening toxicity in children
  • large doses can cause seizures, heart complications or coma.

EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury)

EVALI is a lung condition linked to excessive use of e-cigarettes. A number of young Australian have been hospitalised due to EVALI.

Other health effects

There is a long list of health complications associated with smoking tobacco or nicotine containing products. These include:

  • severe long-term conditions- cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • ongoing, daily issues-throat irritations, coughing, dizziness, headaches and nausea
  • reduced brain and physical development milestones
  • oral health and tooth decay
  • other possible long-term effects caused by inhaling heated flavour additives.

Did you know?

  • Smoking is linked to at least 16 types of cancer.
  • 1 in 5 cancer deaths are caused by smoking.

See the E-cigarette child safety pamphlet and the Medication safety webpage for more information. 

If you think your child or someone they know has been poisoned by liquid nicotine, please call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or call Triple Zero (000) in the case of an emergency.