It's Not Just Water Vapour
There’s more to vaping than you think.
There’s more to vaping than you think.
One of the best things a parent can do is talk to their kids about vaping and other substances.
Find mental health and substance use supports in B.C. with the Wellbeing website
Did you know it’s not just harmless vapour?
When you vape, you are inhaling an aerosol that contains various substances. Some things to think about:
Nicotine Dependence:
Here’s what we know about the health effects of nicotine:
Nicotine and Wellbeing:
Many young people in BC say they vape to help with their mental health – improve their mood, reduce stress and anxiety. The truth is nicotine in vapour products can aggravate symptoms of depression and anxiety – and nicotine is in all legally sold vapour products in BC.
If you or someone you care about could be in need of mental health supports, visit wellbeing.gov.bc.ca
Chemical Exposure:
In addition to nicotine, vaping liquids typically contain glycerol (vegetable glycerin) and propylene glycol, and chemicals used for flavouring. The number of chemical ingredients used in vaping liquids varies. Research by Health Canada detected an average of 22 chemicals and roughly nine flavouring chemicals in Canadian vaping products.
At high temperatures, PG and glycerol break apart to form new chemicals called carbonyl compounds, also known as aldehydes (e.g. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, etc.). And, contaminants such as nickel, tin and aluminum might also get into the aerosol as the metal heating element ages.
Lung Health:
The most common types of side effects reported by people who use vaping products are throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea.
If you vape, watch for signs of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. These may be signs of lung damage. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention.
It is difficult to assess the exact impacts of vaping on human health because exposure to the chemicals and contaminants varies depending on:
If you choose to vape, learn the risk and possible health impacts.
Find out more