Vaping

Vaping was invented as a safer alternative to smoking and as a way to quit smoking cigarettes. However, youth vaping is on the rise and there are increasing concerns over the legalization of vaping products containing nicotine.

How vaping works

Vaping liquid (sometimes called vape juice, e-liquid or e-juice) is heated in a vape device (like vape pens, e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, sub-ohms, tank systems or single-use, pre-filled “puff bars”) until it becomes a vapor. This vapour is inhaled into the mouth and lungs and enters the bloodstream, and any excess vapour is exhaled. Watch this short video from Health Canada to learn about The Mechanics of Vaping (video).

What’s in vaping liquid

Most vaping liquids contains a mixture of propylene glycol and/or glycerol (vegetable glycerin), nicotine and flavouring chemicals. It can also contain cannabis extracts and concentrates for consuming marijuana.

• Nicotine: Highly addictive ingredient found in regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Nicotine levels found in e-liquid can be significantly higher than what is found in cigarettes. Some e-liquid contains as much nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.
• Propylene glycol and/or glycerol (vegetable glycerin):
• Flavourings: There are more than 7,000 flavours of e-juice available that appeal to kids and youth.
• THC: Contained in vape cartridges of cannabis extracts and concentrates.
• Overall combination of known and unknown ingredients, chemicals and additives: Vary by ingredients, device, heating temperatures, liquids and vaping patterns.

The below chart shows each ingredient and possible health effect and risks.

Vaping and youth

During adolescence and into young adulthood, young brains are still developing. Nicotine (and cannabis) can lead to addiction, less impulse control and problems with memory and concentration - and the longer-term health effects of still unknown. With over 7,000 flavours of vape liquid, vape liquids are designed to appeal to youth and hide the harms. Taking steps to learn about vaping and talking to youth and kids about the harms and risks, can help prevent them from experimenting with it. Check out this Talking with your teen about vaping: A tip sheet for parents and the Health Canada video Vaping: Learn the Lingo below.

Youth Vaping Parent Information Session

Watch a recording of our Youth Vaping Parent Information Session with WDG Public Health’s Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum. Dr. Tenenbaum discusses the health impacts of youth vaping and offers practical tips on how to talk to your kids about it. *Originally recorded live on January 23, 2024.

What the data says

Local youth vaping facts for WDG

WDG Public Health’s WHY survey 2022 shows:

• In 2022, 15% of students in Grade 7 and up reported using an e-cigarette in the past year.
• In 2022, more senior students reported using e-cigarettes in the past year (22.4%) compared to intermediate students (4.5%).
• In 2022, reported e-cigarette use was highest for non-binary students in Grade 9 and up (26%) compared to students who identify as binary.
• Female students in Grade 9 and up reported higher e-cigarette use in the past year (24.8%) compared to male students in Grade 9 and up (19%).

Canada-wide youth vaping facts

The data Canada-wide shows:

• Reducing stress was the most common reason youth ages 15-19 reported vaping with and without nicotine (33%); followed by because they enjoyed it (28%) and wanted to try it (24%). (CTNS, 2020)
• Nationally, 50% of youth aged 15 – 19 years of age reported used social sources to obtain vaping products over the past 30 days. (CTNS, 2020)
• Nationally, 77% of young adults age 20-24 and 89% of adults age 25+ obtained vaping products at retail stores. (CTNS, 2020)
• Among Canadians who used a vaping device in the past 30 days, 26% perceived vaping as “much less harmful than cigarettes” and 32% perceived vaping as “somewhat less harmful than cigarettes. (CTNS, 2020)
• Nationally, among people aged 16 to 19 who reported using cannabis in the past 12 months, 55.3% reported vapourizing cannabis using a vape pen or e-cigarette (43.8% for aged 20 to 24). (Canadian Cannabis Survey, 2022).

Quit vaping resources

	Quash: A stop vaping/smoking app for youth. Create a customized quit plan and get help as you progress through each stage of the quit process. Quash. → APPLE STORE Quash. → GOOGLE PLAY
	Stop Vaping Challenge: An app from the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit that provides a venue for youth to reflect on their vaping behaviours and patterns in a fun, social way that encourages quitting with friends. #StopVaping → APPLE STORE #StopVaping → GOOGLE PLAY
	Crush the Crave - Vape Edition: An app that provides supportive messages, virtual awards and help for dealing with vape cravings. The app allows you to track the number of days vape-free, amount of money saved and triggers. Crush The Crave - Vape Edition → APPLE STORE Crush The Crave - Vape Edition → GOOGLE PLAY
	Smokers’ Helpline offers online resources and a texting program for people looking to quit vaping, smoking or both. To join the Smokers’ Helpline text program – text ‘iQuit’ to 123456.
	Talk Tobacco is a free confidential program offering culturally appropriate support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and commercial tobacco use to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities.
	Not an Experiment: An online youth vaping cessation support program where you can create and download a quit plan.
	Nod from 2050 is a website that encourages youth to reflect on their long-term goals with respect to vaping nicotine. It is informed by research on specific techniques associated with higher success in successful behaviour change, including supporting identity change and developing a vivid mental image of becoming an ex-vaper.
	The Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) Community Program provides smoking/vaping cessation treatment and supports to Ontarians who do not have access to a healthcare provider or cannot easily access treatment and support. To register, call 1-888-645-5405 and leave your contact information on the voicemail.
	The Expand Project is an initiative aimed at both starting and expanding conversations around nicotine and tobacco among queer and trans young adults ages 18-29.  Informed by, and made for queer and trans young adults, the project is working to create and share accurate information and resources encouraging folks to reflect on their own smoking and vaping use both personally, and as a larger community.

You can find more resources and programs for quitting tobacco and getting support for reducing or quitting cannabis for youth and adults on our website.