What are e-cigarettes and vaping?
What is vaping?
Vapes (also known as e-cigarettes) are small, battery-operated devices that heat vape liquid or ‘juice’. The liquid turns into a chemical vapour that users breathe deeply into their lungs. This is vaping.
Vaping has many health and safety risks. Vapes contain chemicals that are known causes of cancer and lung damage.
People who vape risk injuries and burns from exploding devices, signs of reduced lung function and harm to unborn babies.
Vapes are promoted online via social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Vapes can be disposable* or refillable.
*Reforms introduced in January 2024 ban the importation of disposable vapes into Australia. Read more about these reforms: FAQs at quit.org.au
What is in a vape?
- Vapes contain a liquid called 'e-liquid', 'vape liquid' or 'vape juice'. The liquid in most vapes contains nicotine
- Over 200 different chemicals have been found in e-liquids
- The act of heating the e-liquid may cause the metals from inside the chamber of the vape to also be inhaled
- Toxic metals can leach off the solid surface of the vape chamber directly into the liquid. But many of the toxic contaminants may also come from contamination of the chemical ingredients in e-liquids.
Environmental challenge
Disposable vapes are almost impossible to discard responsibly. They contain single-use plastics, lithium batteries and metals
Many disposable vapes get discarded as litter – you may start to notice these devices around your local area
Chemicals from the battery may leech into the soil causing environmental harm
While we all know cigarette butt litter is a problem, but vapes represent a new environmental challenge especially when you consider the cheaper devices favoured by many young people are single use.
There are many risks associated with vapes including addiction, health harms and other safety risks.
Last updated August 2025