Increase in kids vaping prompts health warning over toxicity

GOLD Coast youths lured into vaping by glamorised advertising are being warned fruity flavourings are potentially toxic when inhaled and can cause long-term health problems.

It comes as high schools clamp down on the use of ecigarettes, locking toilets during class time or shutting toilets permanently so fewer areas exist for students to vape.

Coming in a variety of bright colours and fruity flavours, ecigarettes are increasingly attractive to youths who think vaping is just breathing in flavoured air and that the dangers of smoking are eliminated because tobacco is not involved.

But Dr Anu Siriwardana, a respiratory physician at Gold Coast Private Hospital, said the liquids sold for use in the devices were not regulated or advertised correctly.

“Although many companies say there’s no nicotine in them, we’re not 100 per cent sure this is the case. If there is then … this may lead to nicotine addiction,” Dr Siriwardana said.

Dr Siriwardana urged parents to talk to their children, the earlier the better, to discuss the harmful effects of vaping.

Despite a decrease in the prevalence of smoking, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare stats reveal a sharp rise in the use of e-cigarettes.

For people aged 14 and over, in 2019, almost 39 per cent of smokers had tried e-cigarettes, up from 31 per cent in 2016.

There were also significant increases in the lifetime use of e-cigarettes across most age groups between 2016 and 2019, in particular for those aged 18-24, from 19.2 per cent in 2016 to 26 per cent in 2019.

Nearly one in four people who tried e-cigarettes, 23 per cent, considered themselves to be a “never smoker” at that time. Higher proportions of younger people reported being a never smoker, 65 per cent of 14-17-year-olds and 39 per cent of 18-24-year-olds.

Flavoured e-liquids and associated devices are widely available in Australia to anyone aged 18 and over. The Lung Foundation Australia wants the federal government to take action to address the increasing use of unregulated flavoured e-cigarettes among youths.

Foundation chief executive Mark Brooke said a study done by Curtin University and Telethon Kids Institute Research found 52 e-liquids tested had a completely accurate ingredient list and that 21 per cent contained nicotine, despite it being illegal to sell to do so.

In addition, more than 60 per cent contained chemicals likely toxic if vaped repeatedly.