1. Vaping
Ask students if they have heard of vaping (or vapes, e-cigarettes). What have they heard?

2. What is a Vape? Battery-operated device
Heats and turns liquid (e-liquid or e-juice) into a vapour you inhale
Not a tobacco product
BUT many contain nicotine
It’s a battery-operated device that heats and turs e-juice into a vapour you inhale. The liquid includes flavouring in a propylene glycol base.
It is not a tobacco product, however many of them contain nicotine which is the addictive part of tobacco.

3. Vaping (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfQ6pKVkkl4)‘’
Vaping (

4. “”
This is one of several posters that was created by youth in Niagara.
There is a misconception that the vapour that comes from vapes is harmless. While it is illegal in Canada to sell e-juice containing nicotine (the addictive substance found in tobacco products like cigarettes); the fact is, e-juice with nicotine is readily available in Canada. E-juice is currently not regulated. As a result, even e-juice that says it is nicotine-free, may in fact have nicotine in it.
Why is nicotine a problem? Nicotine affects brain development. This is particularly concerning for young people or during fetal development (pregnancy) when the brain is developing. These lasting changes can negatively affect a person’s thinking, reasoning and/or behaviour, including memory and attention.
Again, nicotine is a very addictive substance. It is the reason many people who smoke find it very hard to quit. Young people may become more easily addicted because their brains are rapidly growing and developing. Nicotine can also train the adolescent brain for addiction to other drugs.

5. “”
E-juice comes in a variety of flavours, including fruit and candy flavours, that may make them appealing to youth. The vapes themselves have sleek designs are may be considered “cool” by youth.

6. Why is vaping a big deal? Perceived as safer and less harmful
Nicotine is addictive and can change your brain
Long-term health effects are not known
Nicotine poisoning and exploding batteries
Vaping is seen as safer and less harmful than smoking cigarettes. This may be true for someone who is a regular, pack-a-day smoker; but isn’t what we would recommend for quitting. BUT, for young people who don’t smoke (probably most of you!), our message is that if you don’t smoke you shouldn’t vape and put yourself at risk.
Nicotine is addictive and can change your brain. For young people (especially before age 25), using nicotine can make it harder to concentrate, learn and control impulses. It also makes your brain more susceptible to becoming addicted to other drugs.
Because the products are so new, there hasn’t been much research on the long-term health effects of vaping. With tobacco, we’ve had years of research to confirm that smoking is linked to cancer and lots of other health issues. We don’t currently have this information about vaping, but do know it can harm your lungs and contains many of the same harmful chemicals as cigarettes.
There have been reports of nicotine poisoning (especially in young children), and cases of batteries exploding.

7. Do you want to be a Guinea Pig?
“””””
Do you want to be a Guinea Pig?
Currently there are a lot of unknowns with vaping. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be the industry’s guinea pig to test on. Just something to think about!

8. Smoke Free Ontario Act
The sale and supply of a vaping device or e-liquid to anyone under 19 is illegal
Includes stores or individuals selling to minors
Vaping is not allowed in the same places that tobacco is not allowed
E.g. School property, indoor public places, some outdoor public places
Sale and supply of electronic cigarettes is illegal to those under 19.
Anyone who sells or supplies a minor with a vaping device or e-liquid can be charged. This applies not only to stores but also individuals (e.g. A students selling or supplying to another student under 19 could be charged).
Those who vape in places where it is prohibited may be subject to a fine of $305

9. Vaping to Quit Smoking
Using a vape to quit smoking is different than vaping for fun
Vaping is not a proven method to quit smoking – but any quit attempt should be supported
If someone wants to quit smoking, there are lots of options that are proven to help with cravings
Some of you may know someone that smokes that is thinking about or currently using a vape to quit smoking.
The message we give to people who smoke is different than the message to people who do not smoke. Vaping is likely less harmful that cigarettes. This method may work for some people but is not considered a proven quit aid. There are other methods that have been proving helpful (eg. Nicotine replacement therapy with behavioural support)

10. Take Away Messages
Just because vaping may be “safer” than smoking cigarettes does not mean vapes are “safe”
People who do not smoke cigarettes should not start vaping

11. Have More Questions? Talk to…
Public health tobacco hotline
Doctor
School nurse
Teacher/principal