Doctors voice concern over ‘alarming increase’ of Geelong teens vaping

Doctors are warning of a worrying rise in Geelong teenagers vaping as police confirm they are aware of the illegal vape trade in the region.

Doctors say there has been an “alarming increase” in the number of teens vaping in the Geelong region.

It comes as Geelong Inspector Bruce Thomas confirmed police were aware of isolated incidents where illegal vaping products had been sold across the region.

“Police are continuing to work with local business owners to make sure they are aware of what they can and can’t sell when it comes to vaping products, since the import ban was introduced at the start of October,” Inspector Thomas said.

“Anyone who suspects the sale of illegal vaping products should contact their local police station and make a report.”

Vape teenagers. Young cute girl in sunglasses and young handsome guy smoke an electronic cigarettes in the vape bar. Bad habit that is harmful to health.

Local GP and Western Victoria Primary Health Network clinical spokeswoman Anne Stephenson said changes introduced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in October meant that all vaping products containing nicotine needed to be prescribed by an authorised prescriber and required that prescription for purchase from Australian pharmacies and overseas.

The TGA said it remained illegal for other Australian retailers such as tobacconists, “vape” shops or convenience stores to sell nicotine vaping products to consumers, even if the consumer had a valid doctor’s prescription.

Dr Stephenson said there hadbeen an alarming increase in the number of teenagers participating in vapingworldwide and in the Geelong region. “The increasing number of teenagers vaping is very concerning,” she said.

Inspector Bruce Thomas. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

“Parents are already comfortable talking about alcohol, smoking and drugs, and vaping should be included in the conversation.

“Because vaping hasn’t been around a long time the full effects of use aren’t well understood but the long-term effects of all the potential ­ingredients and the heating process have experts worried.”

Earlier this year the Geelong Advertiser revealed local secondary schools had warned students and families about vaping amid concerns about pupils experimenting.

Dr Stephenson said e-cigarettes were battery-operated ­devices which heated vaping products into an aerosol that users inhaled.

“Many of the vaping products used in these devices ­contain nicotine, flavourings and a range of toxic chemicals,” she said.

“The flavours are attractive to young people.”

Dr Stephenson said many vaping products contained ­nicotine and experts were concerned some products claiming not to contain ­nicotine actually did.

“Nicotine is highly addictive, especially for teenagers, and exposure can cause harm to many aspects of brain function and development,” she said.

“Users are also more likely to use regular cigarettes and it can also increase the future risk of addiction to other drugs.”

Originally published as Doctors voice concern over ‘alarming increase’ of Geelong teens vaping