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Vaping

Electronic cigarettes may cause health risks and have not been fully evaluated for safety and quality by Health Canada.

Vaping

Vaping

Vapour products and other electronic cigarettes may cause health risks to users through exposure to vapour/aerosols. Even if you do not use the products, you can be exposed through inhaling the vapours from other people using the products. While legal for sale in B.C. to anyone over the age of 19, they are not harmless and children, youth and non-smokers should not use them.

What is vaping?

Vaping is inhaling aerosol or vapour produced by using devices like electronic cigarettes. These devices heat liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales into the mouth and lungs, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. There are different kinds of vaping devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, vapes, mods, tanks or e-hookahs. As per Health Canada, “vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol are the main liquids in vaping products. These are considered safe for use in many consumer products such as cosmetics and sweeteners. However, the long-term safety of inhaling the substances in vaping products is unknown and continues to be assessed.”

For smokers, vaping is less harmful than cigarettes, but vaping still exposes users to chemicals that cause lung damage. Vaping could also expose users to nicotine, which is highly addictive. Children and youth are at high risk of harmful effects of nicotine, including addiction. They may become dependent on nicotine with lower levels of exposure than adults. The long-term health impacts of long term vaping are largely unknown.

Cannabis can also be vaped and should not be used with nicotine, alcohol, other drugs or health products. This can increase impairment and the risk of other adverse effects.

For more information on vaping in Canada visit:

Youth and Vaping

Open and honest dialogue with your children and family about issues like substance use can help build positive connections and enhance resilience. Refer to our Parenting Articles for advice on having conversations with your family.

Laws and Regulations on the Use of Vapour Products in British Columbia

In B.C., vapour products are regulated in the same way as tobacco products are. Tobacco and vapour products cannot be sold to minors or promoted publicly. It cannot be used in public buildings and workplaces, near doorways or air intakes of public buildings, or on school property. For more information on the current vaping legislation in BC, visit the Government of British Columbia - Requirements under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation. In B.C., the legal age to buy vaping products is 19 years of age.

For more information about the laws and regulations visit:

Quit Smoking

Quitting tobacco smoking can be difficult, but many people are able to reduce the amount they smoke or quit completely. Replacing cigarettes with other nicotine products, such as chew tobacco is still harmful. While vaping products and e-cigarettes deliver nicotine in a less harmful way than smoking cigarettes, they are not harmless. These products may reduce health risks for smokers who can't or don't want to quit using nicotine, but only if the user switches completely. For tips on how to quit smoking, and how to deal with temptations and cravings, click on the links below.

QuitNow is the free, quit smoking program of the Government of British Columbia. The BC Lung Association delivers it online at QuitNow. It provides free one-on-one coaching by phone, chat or text to help you quit. QuitNow also provides planning tools, supportive text messaging tips and an active social media community where you can get inspiration from fellow quitters. The PharmaCare BC Smoking Cessation Program helps eligible B.C. residents who wish to stop smoking or using other tobacco products by helping with the cost of smoking cessation prescription drugs or nicotine replacement therapy products. For more information about the program, visit PharmaCare’s website on the BC Smoking Cessation Program.

For information about the health risks of smoking and second-hand smoke, tips on quitting and smoking cessation aids, see our Quit Smoking health feature.

Useful Resources

Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Services

The Alcohol & Drug Information Referral Service (ADIRS) provides free, confidential information and referral services to British Columbians in need of support with any kind of substance use issue (alcohol or other drugs). Referral to community substance use treatment services is available for all ages.

Contact ADIRS toll-free at 1-800-663-1441, or in the lower mainland at 604-660-9382. Free, multilingual telephone help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre

If you think someone might have been poisoned by any substance, medicine or chemical, call the Poison Control Centre. The Poison Control line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 604-682-5050 or 1-800-567-8911 (toll-free in B.C.)  Telephone interpreting is available in over 150 languages.

 

Last Updated:  September 2019

 

References:

  • Fraser Health. (2018, December 18). E-cigarettes. Retrieved from fraserhealth.ca: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/children-and-youth/substance-use-in-children-and-youth/e-cigarettes#.XE9vW1VKhhG
  • Government of British Columbia. (2018, December 18). Requirements under the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act and Regulation. Retrieved from bcgov.ca: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/tobacco-vapour/requirements-under-tobacco-vapour-product-control-act-regulation
  • Government of Canada. (2018, December 18). Talking With Your Teen about Vaping. Retrieved from Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/health/publications/healthy-living/vaping-mechanics-infographic/FINAL_English%20-%20Talking%20with%20Your%20Teen%20About%20Vaping%20-%20December%2018.pdf
  • Government of Canada. (2018, December 19). Talking with your teen about vaping: a tip sheet for parents. Retrieved from Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/publications/healthy-living/talking-teen-vaping-tip-sheet-parents.html
  • Government of Canada. (2019, January 18). Infographic - Vaping - The Mechanics. Retrieved from Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/publications/healthy-living/vaping-mechanics-infographic.html
  • Parliament of Canada. (2015, March). VAPING: TOWARD A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR E-CIGARETTES. Retrieved from ourcommons.ca: https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/41-2/HESA/report-9

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control