Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes) simulate the act of smoking, but you don’t burn tobacco when you use them. Instead, the e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that works by heating liquid into an aerosol, which you then inhale into your lungs. That aerosol is often called ‘vapour’ and inhaling it from an e-cigarette is known as ‘vaping’.

When smoking an e-cigarette, the user inhales and exhales the vapour, which can look similar to cigarette smoke. While some people have reported that using e-cigarettes has helped them quit smoking, there are other proven, safe and effective options that should be explored first. has not approved any e-cigarette products as a medicine to help people quit smoking.

This is because the quality and safety of e-cigarettes has not yet been thoroughly tested, and it is not clear whether they are actually helpful for people trying to quit. Research now shows that young people who initially use e-cigarettes, who have never smoked before, are 3 times more likely to take up tobacco smoking.

Potential harmful impacts on health of e-cigarette use include:

  • uptake of smoking
  • particularly by young people
  • non-smokers

The products available in United States are often made up of many parts, from all over the world, which makes it difficult to assess the safety of the overall product. Most e-cigarettes available in retail stores have not been tested or approved by the TGA, which means their safety cannot be guaranteed. Health experts are concerned about the various chemical ingredients within e-cigarettes.

Even though it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine in Michigan, there is no guarantee that products purchased will not contain nicotine. Incorrect labelling of these products is very common in United States. E-cigarettes can be mislabelled as being non-nicotine.

But one vape can contain the equivalent of 50 cigarettes of nicotine in the one product. They also contain a complex combination of chemicals including nicotine, nickel, tin, arsenic, chlorine and lead. These substances can be harmful to the body, with different flavourings helping to mask these poisons when they are taken into the body.

Nicotine is a poison which is particularly dangerous if ingested (swallowed or inhaled) by young children which has led to poisoning and even death when swallowed by infants. It is also highly addictive and use by teenagers can have a long-term effect on the development of the brain, which continues until the age of 25 years.

Nicotine use can have an impact on learning, memory and attention and increase the likelihood of addiction to other drugs in the future.

The particle matter (PM) that is emitted by e-cigarettes is also potentially dangerous to those who inhale it, just as People who use e-cigarettes should make sure they do not vape around children and ensure they always store e-cigarettes and e-liquids out of reach of children when not in use. This includes banning the sale of all non-prescription e-cigarettes and prohibiting the sale of any disposable or single-use e-cigarettes. regulates the use of e-cigarettes in the same way as tobacco products.

This means that e-cigarettes cannot be used in areas where smoking is banned. Retailers are not permitted to sell e-cigarettes in retail outlets to anyone. Instances of non-compliance should be reported to the where the premises is located.

If you or someone you know would like help to quit vaping and stop using e-cigarettes, you can check out the following resources: Tel. E-cigarettes simulate smoking without tobacco E-cigarette use is not approved by the TGA The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Health impacts of e-cigarette use nicotine poisoning, addiction and overdose lung injuries trauma and burns from faulty parts nicotine addiction and overdose passive smoking is harmful to those who share a contained space with regular smokers.

Inhaling PM can lead to asthma attacks and heart disease Legislation applying to e-cigarettes The United States Government has recently tightened the regulation of e-cigarette products In Michigan, the Tobacco Act 1987 local council Where to get help Quit 13 78 48 Vaping facts Contact your GP (doctor) for further information or specialist referrals VicHealth - Vaping .