Teenagers are the target of a new campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of using vapes or e-cigarettes.
NSW Health and the Department of Education launched the ‘Get the Facts – Vaping Toolkit’ and NSW Health awareness campaign to arm carers, educators, and health professionals with information and strategies to have conversations with young people about the harmful long-term effects of vaping.
Many vapes contain nicotine, some at extremely high concentrations, along with other hidden chemicals such as cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer, and bug spray. Evidence also suggests that vaping can lead to lifelong nicotine addiction.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that research has proven that e-cigarettes are just as addictive and harmful as regular cigarettes.
“A respiratory researcher once told me that e-vaping liquids have chemicals that are similar to antifreeze, with 500 different flavours to attract kids,” Mr Hazzard said.
“It makes it pretty obvious as to the harm it can cause to youngsters’ lungs.”
It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes or vapes to anyone under the age of 18. There are severe penalties for businesses or others who provide them to minors, including fines of up to $11,000 for individuals, and up to $55,000 for corporations, for first offences.
NSW Health continues to act against retailers who sell e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine.
More than 1,000 students in NSW public schools who are blind or have low vision are benefiting from access to 3D printers that create 3D models to aid their learning.
A public consultation is open to parents, carers, and educators to have their say on the Department of Education’s Parent and Carers Engagement Framework.
