Belmont High School, like many other schools, has seen a spike in young people vaping.
E-cigarettes, or ‘vapes’, are not safe for young people. They come in many shapes and sizes and can be hard to spot as they can look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.
Key vaping facts
· Many vapes contain nicotine. Nicotine can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development, including impaired learning ability and altered mood, and can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
· Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray, which can lead to serious lung diseases.
· Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
The laws around selling vapes
It is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years. Young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores, or from friends and contacts on social media. You can report suspected illegal sales of vapes to NSW Health or by calling the Tobacco Information Line on 1800 357 412.
Talk to your child about vaping
It’s important to take the time to talk to your child about the risks of vaping. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed easy-going way. To help you be more informed on the risks of vaping, please visit the NSW Health website.