Vaping
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by a vaping product. These products are commonly known as e-cigarettes, vapes or vape pens.
Vaping can increase your exposure to chemicals that could harm your health.
Health risks of vaping
Vaping devices heat a liquid into a vapour, which then turns into aerosol. The vapour is often flavoured and can contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. The aerosol produced may contain dozens of chemicals. There are health risks linked to chemicals found in vaping products.
Children and youth are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of nicotine, including addiction. Vaping among youth and young adults is strongly linked to future cigarette use.
The Government of Canada is investigating the emergence of severe lung illness related to vaping. The Centres for Disease Control in the United States is also investigating an outbreak of vaping-associated lung injury, including several deaths.
Smoking, vaping and COVID-19
Smoking and vaping are well-known risk factors for respiratory infections and disease. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop severe disease with COVID-19. Smoking can make symptoms worse and make it harder to fight infection and recover.
There’s less known about the risks of COVID-19 and vaping, but vaping may increase the risk of infection because you’re bringing your hand close to your mouth. Sharing vaping products can also increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Get help quitting
If you’re considering quitting smoking or vaping, resources are available to help you quit:
- talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider
- call 811 to be connected with services and supports
- visit Tobacco Free Nova Scotia’s website
- contact the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Mental Health and Addictions Services
Talking with your teen
Vaping among Nova Scotia youth has been on the rise and becomes more common as students get older. It’s important for parents and guardians to have conversations with the young people in their life about the risks of vaping.
Restrictions on consuming and selling tobacco and vaping products
The consumption of products like tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes, and waterpipes is governed by the Smoke-free Places Act, the Tobacco Access Act and the Cannabis Control Act.
Restrictions for vendors under the Tobacco Access Act include:
- no selling to minors (youth under 19)
- keeping products out of view unless the store sells only those products and minors are not permitted entry
- no point-of-sale promotion
- no signage or advertising outside the store
As of 1 April 2020 the sale of flavoured e-cigarettes and liquids is also banned in Nova Scotia.
The consumption of combustible products, including tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes, and waterpipes is governed by the Smoke-free Places Act. The Department of Environment is responsible for enforcing the Tobacco Access Act and the Smoke-free Places Act.
Report an infraction
To make a complaint about a suspected infraction of the Tobacco Access Act or the Smoke-free Places Act, contact the Department of Environment at 1-877-936-8476 or fill out our online form.
Additional resources
About vaping – (Government of Canada)
Risks of vaping – (Government of Canada)
Smoke-free Places Act
Talking with your teen about vaping – (Government of Canada)
Tobacco Free Nova Scotia
Vaping and Nova Scotia youth – The Lung Association