Vaping in Western Australia
The use of e-cigarettes (also known as “vapes”) has become more common in Western Australia in recent years, especially among young adults and adolescents.
What are e-cigarettes (vapes)?
E-cigarettes or vapes are battery-powered devices that are designed to deliver nicotine and/or other chemicals via an aerosol vapour directly to the lungs.
When using a vape, the user inhales and exhales the vapour from the heated e-liquid . All e-cigarettes have three basic components: a battery, an atomiser and a fluid cartridge. The fluid used in vapes usually contains propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine and added flavourings.
What are the laws relating to e-cigarettes and vapes?
The national laws relating to the importation, manufacture and supply of all e-cigarettes and vaping products (with or without nicotine) were strengthened in 2024.
Visit Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Vaping Hub and the Department of Health and Aged Care website for more information about the national laws relating to e-cigarettes.
Visit Healthy WA for more information about the laws relating to e-cigarettes in WA.
What are the health impacts of vaping?
There is clear evidence on the harmful short-term health effects from vaping, which include poisoning and immediate inhalation toxicity. E-cigarettes have been found to contain a range of carcinogens (chemicals known to cause cancer), including arsenic and formaldehyde.
A new generation of young people are becoming addicted to nicotine from using e-cigarettes.
Does vaping help you quit smoking?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has not approved any e-cigarette product as a cessation aid to help with quitting smoking. Many other products such as patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray and inhalators that are safe to use and are shown to increase chances of quitting smoking have been approved as quitting aids by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Quit vaping support
Talk to the Quitline to get free support from a Quitline counsellor who can help you plan and develop strategies to quit vaping and stay quit. Visit Quit for more information.
The Clear the Air website is designed for young people and includes an “Am I Addicted?” quiz and tips to quit nicotine.
More information and support
Visit the Make Smoking History website for information on vaping.
The Make Smoking History website also contains information for people who are using e-cigarettes to quit smoking.