Queensland Police urge children to reconsider e-cigarettes

Queensland police urge children and teenagers to "think twice before vaping".

Police Minister Mark Ryan and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath, along with Sergeant John Hallam, have launched a public awareness campaign aimed at educating school children about the impact of electronic cigarettes on their health.

A study conducted by the Queensland Department of Health shows that in 2017, 16% of 12-17 year old high school students in Queensland have used an electronic cigarette, which is an increase from 11% in 2014. Male students in this age group are twice as likely as females to use electronic cigarettes.

Research shows that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, but they are still not safe for users. This is because these devices heat nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals to produce an aerosol that is inhaled.

Minister D'Ath has stated that young people need to be aware of the potential lung impacts of e-cigarettes. "Queensland Health Department has warned that e-cigarettes and vaping have known harms, with young people being one of the most at-risk groups. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to support the safety of e-cigarettes".

A recent report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that one in ten people aged 18 and above have used electronic cigarettes or vaping devices at least once. Currently, 2.2% of people in this age group are regular users. The 16-24 age group has the highest prevalence of use compared to any other age group, highlighting the need for campaigns like "The Truth About Vaping".

Sheriff Halem stated that law enforcement can play a crucial role in addressing the issue of young people using e-cigarettes, emphasizing the potential impact on the wider community. He said, "As police officers, it is our duty to educate our community and enforce Queensland law, including laws that affect underage use of e-cigarettes.

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