Vaping/Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes)

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices.
• They heat a cartridge containing liquid chemicals and flavouring into a mist, which is inhaled through a mouthpiece and exhaled as a visible vapour (Cartridges may not contain nicotine).
• E-cigarettes typically mimic traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars or pipes in appearance. More recent styles can look like everyday items such as pens, USB memory sticks and larger round or rectangular devices.

Are they legal?

Sales of e-cigarettes containing nicotine are not legal anywhere in Australia. Nicotine is a dangerous poison, even in small quantities, and it is strictly regulated in WA under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014.

Products that resemble tobacco products, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not, cannot be sold in WA and it is an offence under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 to sell such products. In a Supreme Court of WA decision of 2014, electronic cigarettes were found to resemble a tobacco product.

Are they safe?

There is little information available about the safety of e-cigarettes, whether or not they contain nicotine, and nothing on the effects of long-term use.

All e-cigarettes are imported, and in many cases they are manufactured in an unregulated environment without quality control over design, content or consumer information.

The World Health Organization (external site) recommends that unless e-cigarettes are proven to be safe and effective, consumers should be advised to avoid them.

Talking to young people about e-cigarettes

More information for parents or carers is available at the links below: