Vaping Concerns
BY DR KIM LOO | Chair Hills Doctors Association Member of Unpacking Vaping Advisory Committee – focussed on School age children.
Australia has led the world with regulation of cigarettes. Our community understands the harms of smoking cigarettes.
Now there is regulation of e cigarettes. Single use vapes are now banned. Vapes can only be sold at pharmacies to people over 18 and can no longer be sold at tobacconists or other small businesses.
The number of children smoking e cigarettes at school has increased in the past 5 years. Vaping increases the risk of seizures, insomnia, anxiety and depression, and lung damage (from depositing aerosol and particulate matter in the airways).
It can accelerate dental cavities. There is 3 times the risk of progressing combustible tobacco use.
It is very easy to be addicted to vapes.
The BEAT Program
Breathe Easy All Together (BEAT) is a program at the forefront of e cigarette prevention in Western Sydney. Working together are the Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU) and the Eastern Creek Principles network.
BEAT utilises evidence-based program with a peer-lead education model to empower students to make informed decisions about vaping. The BEAT programme is currently recruiting schools.
Vaping Adolescents and children
The incidence of vaping in 14–17-year-olds is one ten. It is important not normalise this behaviour. The risk of harm is so significant that the prevention strategies are vital.
What is a vape?
Vaping devices heats a mixture and generate an aerosol together with particles. This is inhaled mixed with pure air.
The original mixture of vapes is glycerine, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavours that soaked into a sponge.
What you inhale?
- The original mixture
- Chemicals from the mixture reaction
- Thermal degradation from A and B depending on device characteristics
- Metals and other materials from heating the device
- Thermal degradation of the sponge.
Vapes are Waste disposal problem
This can be complex, expensive and confusing for the public. Vapes need to be pulled apart before they can be disposed of. There are various hazardous components to them — a lithium battery, toxic liquids, nicotine. Councils will need to deal with this as it is too dangerous for the public to deal with.
How can we discourage children and adolescents from starting vaping and using other products now on the market containing nicotine and flavourings that are now entering the market?
INFO FORUM
If you want to find out more about vaping and children and the BEAT program. The Hills Doctors are holding an education meeting, and you can talk to the experts. This is an important meeting for doctors, teachers and anyone dealing with children. On Thursday 14th November at 6.30pm. Tribute Room at the Pioneer Theatre under Castle Hill Library.