“Although e-cigarettes have been around for more than a decade, vaping rates have skyrocketed in recent years, especially among teenagers, and many parents are justifiably concerned.” - Dr Hannah Norris

Vaping is inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, better known as an e-cigarette. E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices containing cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavourings and chemicals. This liquid is heated into a vapour and inhaled by the user, hence the term “vaping."

Vaping puts nicotine into the body and is highly addictive. It is still unknown what the long-term effects are of vaping, but short term we do know that it can slow down brain development in kids and teens. This can affect their memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention and mood. E-cigarettes also irritate and damage the lungs and can entice the use of other forms of tobacco, such as cigarettes.

Please refer to the resources provided in School TV through our Tauranga Girls’ College website.

For students involved in vaping at school, weekly workshops are scheduled on a Wednesday lunchtime.