Greater Shepparton City Council is organising a free online session on Monday, December 5 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm to provide up-to-date and accurate information on vaping.
Electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have surged in popularity among young people.
According to Lung Foundation Australia, one of the reasons behind the rise in popularity is the range of flavours that e-cigarettes offer, which consequently smell more enticing and taste better than traditional cigarettes.
However some e-cigarettes have been found to contain formaldehyde and acrolein, which can cause irreversible lung damage and propylene glycol, which is toxic to human cells.
They also contain nicotine, which besides from being highly addictive, can cause adverse effects to the still-developing adolescent brain, with areas that control attention, learning, mood and behavioural control being most affected.
Short-term effects from using e-cigarettes include nausea, vomiting, mouth and airway irritation, chest pain and heart palpitations.
Long-term effects are still unclear.
The online session will cover the potential harms associated with the use of e-cigarettes, along with practical advice on how to talk to young people about vaping, as well as provide information on how to best prevent e-cigarette and vaping use among young people.
The session will be presented by Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia founder and director Paul Dillon, who has spent more than 25 years working in drug education.
Council director community Louise Mitchell said the session was in response to a troubling trend that had spread nationwide.
“Vaping has become a growing issue for schools and parents across the country. For many youth, it is seen as less harmful, better and cheaper than smoking cigarettes,” Ms Mitchell said.
“This session will also offer some possible responses that can be used, should young people attempt to challenge parents and teachers in this complex area.”
Those interested in participating in the online session should register via council’s website: bit.ly/EffectsOfVapingOnlineSession2022
For more information contact council’s Healthy Communities Team on (03) 5832 9431 or email healthplan@shepparton.vic.gov.au