Many people think vapes are just flavoured water. This is simply not true. The main ingredient in vapes is propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine or glyercol. Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don't put it on the pack.

Vapes come in a number of flavours such as blueberry or bubble-gum that make them appealing. Many vapes also contain nicotine, the same highly addictive substance found in tobacco cigarettes.

Testing has shown that vapes labelled 'nicotine-free' can have high nicotine levels. People can think they are using nicotine-free vapes and can unknowingly quickly develop a nicotine addiction.

NSW Health has developed resources for schools, parents and young people to raise awareness that vapes are not harmless.

Signage is also available for businesses so they can clearly advise customers that vaping is prohibited in areas where smoking is prohibited.

It is illegal to sell vapes to people under the age of 18 years, if you are aware of retailers selling vapes to under-age teenagers, click on the link below to report them.