Vaping Products (Electronic Cigarettes)

About vaping

Vaping products (also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, vapes, mods, tanks, vapourizers or e-hookahs) refer to a range of battery-operated devices that heat a liquid chemical (e-liquid) into an aerosol that is inhaled. Vaping products can resemble pens, USB sticks, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and everyday items.

The act of using a vaping product is called “vaping”. Vaping products can be used to deliver nicotine, cannabis, and other drugs. The liquid chemical, referred to as e-liquid or e-juice, can consist of nicotine, water, added flavours, and propylene glycol or glycerol.

Some vaping products are single-use disposable devices and others are reusable with a cartridge or tank system. While they vary widely in design and appearance, they all operate similarly and have four main components: a battery, cartridge or tank, a liquid, and an atomizer containing a heating element.

Public Health concerns with vaping

• Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction.
• The research surrounding the health impacts of vaping is still evolving, however there is evidence identifying both short-term and long-term health risks.
• Aerosol produced from a vaping product can contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals (external link).
• Even without nicotine or cannabis, aerosol is not harmless water vapour.
• Flavours that are added to vaping products may not be safe for breathing into your lungs.
• Vaping products are not a proven aid to quit smoking. Learn more about proven quit smoking supports.
• Health Canada (external link) recommends that people who do not smoke, especially youth, young adults, pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant, should not use vaping products and should avoid exposure to second-hand aerosol.
• Using vaping products is not a proven strategy to help people to quit smoking. Learn more about proven quit smoking supports.
• Canadians should not use vaping products obtained illegally, including any vaping products that contain cannabis.
• While rare, defective vaping products (especially batteries) can catch fire or explode, leading to burns and injuries.

Facts about youth and vaping

• Vaping products that contain nicotine are unsafe for youth whose developing brains are more vulnerable to addiction. Children and youth may become dependent on nicotine more rapidly than adults.
• Nicotine use at a young age can make it harder to learn, concentrate, or control impulses.
• Vaping among youth is strongly linked to the use of other tobacco products, such as regular cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and smokeless tobacco.

How to talk to youth about vaping

• Know the facts - Educate yourself about vaping so you can talk about it with your children.
• Help youth plan for social situations; this is most likely where vaping will be offered.
• Practice refusal skills – Talk about how to say no and how to avoid use.
• Encourage open conversations. This may be many small conversations over time. Try to find a natural time to discuss vaping, for example when you see someone using vaping products.
• Share your opinion about vaping and set clear boundaries for your teen.
• Ask your kids if they are vaping. Be patient, ready to listen and avoid criticizing.
• Build a trusting relationship with your kids by being supportive and showing care.
• Ask for support from a health care provider or another trusted adult, if needed.
• Be a positive role model - Don’t use tobacco or vaping products. If you do, it’s never too late to quit.

Talking with your teen about vaping: A tip sheet for parents (external link)

See Halton - Substance Use Prevention and Teens for additional resources.

Support and resources for quitting

• Crush the Crave App (external link) –Helps young adults quit vaping through a customized quit plan, tracking (e.g., cravings, money saved, health improvements) and access to services such as quit lines.
• I quit for me - Canada.ca (external link) –A guide for youth who want to quit using tobacco, cigarettes, or vapes.
• Kids Help Phone Line (external link) –to connect with a counsellor for support.
• Nod from 2050 (external link) –A website that encourages youth to reflect on their long-term goals with respect to vaping nicotine.
• Quash (external link) –An app to help youth and young adults quit smoking or vaping.
• Stop Vaping Challenge (external link) –An app from the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit that helps youth reflect on their vaping behaviours and patterns in a fun, social way that encourages quitting with friends.
• Talk Tobacco (external link) –Indigenous specific quit smoking and vaping support.

Not An Experiment

NotAnExperiment.ca (external link) provides resources that give youth, parents/caregivers, and educators the facts about the health effects of vaping. It includes information about the industry’s marketing of these addictive products, the chemicals in e-liquids, and the effects on mental and physical health. You will also find strategies and tools to support vaping prevention, refusal, and cessation.

NotAnExperiment is designed to help young people make vape and smoke-free choices. Don’t treat your health like an experiment…know the facts.

• Visit NotAnExperiment.ca (external link)
• NotAnExperiment resources for parents/caregivers (external link)
• NotAnExperiment.ca resources for educators (external link)