Vaping nicotine
In this info sheet
E-cigarettes contain chemicals that are inhaled into the lungs. Teens often refer to them as “vapes.” Most vapes contain nicotine.
Nicotine is a stimulant that can:
- Alter brain development
- Create a strong addiction
- Harm memory and concentration
Nicotine use carries risks, no matter the amount consumed. Talking to your teen can help them avoid the vaping trap.
To better understand
“Vape,” “vaping,” “e-cigarette”—what do these terms mean?
A vape is a small device that heats a liquid, turning it into tiny particles called aerosol.
There are different types of vapes. Some look like highlighters, while others resemble USB keys. Despite their varying appearances, they all contain:
- A reservoir holding the vaping liquid
- A battery
- A heating element
What is in vaping liquid?
Contrary to popular belief, water is rarely found in vaping liquid—and if it is, it is only present in small amounts. Instead, the liquid contains chemicals and often nicotine. This means that when vaping, users are not inhaling water vapour but chemicals that are absorbed by the lungs and carried into the bloodstream.
Why talk about nicotine vaping with your teen as soon as they start high school?
Like cigarettes, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy vaping products. However, adolescence is a key time for experimenting with vaping, which is why it’s important to discuss it with your teen.
As soon as they start high school, teens may see their friends vaping. Vapes have become a trendy accessory and a new way to consume nicotine, attracting even teens who would never have smoked cigarettes.
Most teens get vaping products from people they know. Many report that most, if not all, of their friends vape. Curiosity and peer pressure are common reasons why young people start vaping.
Opening the conversation with your teen can help them understand the realities of vaping and resist the urge to try it.
What are the health risks of vaping?
Vaping poses risks to both physical and mental health.
On one hand, the risks are related to nicotine.
Nicotine use carries risks, regardless of the amount consumed. In the short term, it can alter brain development, and harm memory and concentration. Nicotine can also negatively affect:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Energy levels
- Appetite
Teenage brains are still developing and are more sensitive to the effects of nicotine than adult brains. Nicotine can create a powerful addiction, which can be very difficult to overcome. Addiction develops gradually and often goes unnoticed. It can occur even if a teen does not vape daily. The table below explains how nicotine affects teens.
Some examples of nicotine’s effects
| Level | Physical | Psychological | Behavioural |
| How does nicotine affect teens?
|
Teens experience a temporary feeling of well-being. When the body is deprived of nicotine, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and difficulty concentrating may occur. | Young people may associate vaping with a reward or use it as a way to manage their emotions. Some believe vaping reduces stress, but in reality, it is not an effective strategy. | Young people can associate vaping with habits, people, or activities. For example, teens see recess as a time for vaping. |
Research shows that young people who vape are more likely to try smoking cigarettes than those who do not. For more information about smoking, see our fact sheet on the topic.
On the other hand, the risks are related to vaping itself.
Even if the liquid does not contain nicotine, vaping is still harmful. The chemicals in vaping devices affect the respiratory system, causing:
- Coughing
- Mucus in the airways
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
The medium- and long-term effects of vaping remain unknown. However, this does not mean that vaping is safe. It took decades to prove that smoking causes cancer.
Given these uncertainties, it is best to avoid vaping, whether the products are legal or not. The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux has issued a warning about vaping products, both with and without nicotine.
Flavoured vaping products: legal or not?
Since October 31, 2023, the sale of flavoured vaping products (other than tobacco flavour) has been illegal in Québec. Unflavoured products remain available. This law aims to reduce the appeal of vaping for minors.
Despite this ban, between December 2023 and May 2024, 62% of Québec teens who vaped used flavoured products. Some retailers in Québec sell “flavour enhancers” to get around the law. Additionally, flavoured vaping products from Ontario, where they are legal, enter the province freely.
Do vapes contain as much nicotine as cigarettes?
The nicotine content varies based on the concentration in the liquid and the number of cartridges used. By law, the nicotine concentration in vaping liquid is limited to 20 mg/ml, which is equivalent to about 10 cigarettes (half a pack). However, multiple cartridges can be consumed in a single day.
How to tell the difference between a nicotine vape and a cannabis vape (WaxPen)
It is difficult to determine what substance is being vaped just by looking at the device. Many young people use the same vape for both nicotine and cannabis. Additionally, cannabis vapes do not emit the same strong smell as smoked cannabis (joints) or tobacco, making it harder to detect what is being consumed.
The best way to know what is in a vape is to ask the person using it.
For more information about cannabis vaping, see our fact sheet on the topic.
Nicotine vaping is becoming more common. In the past month in the Montérégie region:
- 1 in 7 teens vaped
- Girls vaped more than boys
- Nearly a quarter of secondary 4 and 5 students vaped
To better support
Advice for all parents of teens
- Use everyday opportunities to start a conversation, such as seeing someone vaping on the street or in a movie. You could ask your teen:
- What do you know about vaping and its risks?
- What strategies could you use to refuse an offer to vape?
- What do you think about people in your social circle who vape?
Consult the video on how to address sensitive topics with your teen for more ideas.
- Identify ways for your teen to relax and have fun, such as physical activities or hobbies. Discuss their sources of stress and how they can manage them. For more information, see our fact sheet on the topic.
- Support the school’s policies on its code of conduct and intervention protocols.
- Establish a smoke- and vape-free environment at home and in the car.
- Be mindful of how your own behaviours and words influence your teen.
Advice for parents of teens who vape
- Thank your teen for their honesty if they admit to having tried vaping or regularly doing so.
- If your teen starts vaping, clearly express your disapproval—but do not overreact if they tell you they tried it once.
- If you vape or smoke, talk to your teen about how addiction has affected your life or how much money you could have saved. You can also share any past attempts to quit, if applicable.
- If your teen wants to quit, support them by contacting the school nurse or a smoking cessation centre, which offers services to help young people stop vaping.
As a parent, opening up the conversation about vaping can help your teen make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Don’t underestimate your influence!
Resources and practical tools
For support
General resources:
If you are concerned about a situation, do not hesitate to reach out to a support worker or a healthcare professional:
Specialized resources
- Smoking cessation centres – Offer free services to help teens quit nicotine vaping.
- Libair mobile app – Provides daily support for teens to quit vaping through a compassionate approach.
To learn more
Le Conseil québécois sur le tabac et la santé. Le vapotage chez les jeunes est un problème à prendre au sérieux. Parlons-en maintenant! (French only)
References
Chawla, J. Lovato, N. et Wong, M. (2024). Optimising sleep in adolescents: the challenges. Australian Journal of General Practice, 53(6), 379-386.
Conseil québécois sur le tabac et la santé. (2024). Le vapotage chez les jeunes est un problème à prendre au sérieux. Parlons-en maintenant !
Gouvernement du Canada. (2024, 21 juin). Règlements sur la concentration en nicotine du tabac dans les produits de vapotage.
Gouvernement du Canada. (2013, 7 mars). Dépendance à la nicotine.
Gouvernement du Québec. (2025, 28 février). Loi concernant la lutte contre le tabagisme.
Gouvernement du Québec. (2019, 25 novembre). Mise en garde contre les produits de vapotage avec ou sans nicotine.
Institut de la statistique du Québec. (2021, 11 mars). Enquête québécoise sur le tabac, l’alcool, la drogue et le jeu chez les élèves du secondaire, 2019.
Institut de la statistique du Québec. (2021, 20 mai). Consommation de tabac et des produits de vapotage au Québec en 2020.
Institut national de santé publique du Québec. (2022, 24 novembre). Vapotage de nicotine et de cannabis : identifier et comprendre les risques pour la santé.
Léger. (2024). Interdiction des saveurs – Résultats d’un sondage en ligne réalisé auprès de 1 506 jeunes Québécois de 12 à 17 ans, cité dans Conseil québecois sur le tabac et la santé. (2024, 31 octobre). L’interdiction des saveurs décourage les jeunes à vapoter.
This fact sheet was created in collaboration with:
Le Conseil québécois sur le tabac et la santé
Isabelle Héroux, Conseillère en soins infirmiers, équipe Municipalités et Communautés en santé, Direction de santé publique de la Montérégie
Latest updates: april 2025
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