Vapes are not water. The main ingredient in vapes is propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine or glycerol. Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don't put it on the pack.
Vapes come in a number of flavours such as blueberry or bubble-gum that make them appealing. Many vapes also contain nicotine, the same highly addictive substance found in tobacco cigarettes.
Testing has shown that vapes labelled 'nicotine-free' can have high nicotine levels. People can think they are using nicotine-free vapes and can unknowingly quickly develop a nicotine addiction.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Download vaping fact sheet as a PDF
Watch this video to learn how vaping affects the brain. Vapes can contain over 200 chemicals. In the short-term, vaping can cause damage to the lungs and throat, and lead to nicotine overdose.
Exposing young brains to nicotine early can wire your brain to be more addicted to substances into adulthood.
For more information on the developing brain and vaping read the Respect your brain fact sheet, or visit the Respect your Brain website.
For information, please contact MOH-Ecigs@health.nsw.gov.au
The Do you know what you’re vaping? campaign was developed by NSW Health in consultation with young people, parents, creative partners, education partners and healthcare organisations. Toolkit resources have been developed in partnership with Cancer Council NSW and the NSW Department of Education.
The campaign and resources are underpinned by evidence. For more information about the evidence for the campaign and toolkit resources read the Vaping evidence summary.
For more information about the campaign visit the Cancer Institute.
Download all campaign assets
To order vaping resources, including factsheets, posters and postcards, please complete this PDF or document form.