Vaping

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Grades 9-12

Last updated: July 2025

Before we start…

*Reminder that support is always available at school.

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Other community resources will also be shared at the end of the module.

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Let’s cover some ground rules!

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What is vaping?

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Vaping devices

1^st Generation - Singe Use

2^nd Generation- Vape Pens

3^rd Generation- Tanks or MODS

3^rd Generation – Sub-Ohm Tank

4th Generation – Pod Mods

Vaporizers

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Vaping liquids (E-liquid)

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Which of these chemicals have been found in vapour?

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1. Formaldehyde
2. Nickel
3. Aluminium
4. All the above

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The industry

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Marketing to youth

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Why do tobacco/vaping �companies target YOUth?

1. YOUth may have money.
2. YOUth are becoming more independent.
3. YOUth can replace people who have quit.
4. YOUth will live longer and buy more cigarettes or vapes than adults.
5. All the above.

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What is the law?

• No smoking or vaping:
• anywhere on school property
• 20 metres from perimeter of school
• in any workplace or public spaces
• 9m from a restaurant or bar patio

• The fine for vaping in a prohibited area is $305.00.
• It is against the law to give or sell vapour products to youth under the age of 19.

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Short-term health risks

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• Sore mouth and throat
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

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Health risks with vaping

• Lung damage
• Effects on heart
• Irritation of the ears, eyes and throat
• Addiction
• Effects on the developing brain
• Nicotine poisoning

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Cannabis use and youth

Using cannabis at an earlier age can: 

• affect the brain - changes may not be reversible
• affect someone’s judgement, ability to make decisions, and solve problems
• make learning, paying attention, and remembering things harder

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Nicotine

• Can reach the brain in 10 seconds
• Can affect how the brain develops, memory and concentration

• Nicotine is a stimulant which increases heart rate and blood pressure

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What about second-hand vapour?

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Vaping can have risks because…

1. It has not been fully tested for safety.
2. Long-term effects are not known.
3. There are possible health risks with vaping and second hand vapours.
4. All the above.

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Teen Vaping and Nicotine Video 

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Physical dependence

• The body gets used to regular amounts of cannabis or nicotine.
• Withdrawal symptoms can happen when the person is using less or stops using the substance.
• A person who regularly vapes THC or nicotine may feel like they can’t get anything done without it and get anxious.

� Dependence is more likely when use begins during adolescence

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             Addiction

• Medical condition
• Anyone can develop an addiction
• Changes how the brain works
• Behaviors (i.e. gambling, gaming)
• The 4 C’s: 
• Compulsive use
• Consequences
• Cravings
• Loss of control

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Addictions are not a choice and does not mean someone is bad or weak.

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Behaviours

• Substance Use
• Gambling
• Gaming
• Technology
• Exercise
• Sexual activity  
• Working

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Addictions can develop to behaviors:

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Why do youth start vaping?

• Curiosity
• Peer pressure
• Normalized
• Marketing
• Not worried about addiction

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Reducing harm

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Stigma

• Can make people hide their symptoms
• Can make people not get help
• Lead to poor health

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Recovery

• Addiction is a medical condition
• A person may need help with recovery 
• Recovery can be different for every person

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Community resources: substance use health

• Your school’s addiction counsellor, family doctor or nurse practitioner (NP)
• Access.MHA.ca�An easier way to reach services in eastern Ontario’s system of care for mental health and addictions (16+) years)
• 1call1click.ca�For youth up to 21 years and their families or caregivers to access the right mental health, addictions, and substance use health care
• National Overdose Response Service at 1-888-688-NORS (6677)

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Community resources: �mental health

24/7 Crisis Support

• 1Call1Click.ca for children, youth and families/caregivers to access the right mental health, addictions, and substance use health care.
• Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914 (24/7); crisisline.ca (for people 16+ years) - English and French
• Youth Services Bureau at 613-260-2360 or Crisis Chat: www.ysb.ca
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline call or text 9-8-8
• Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, text CONNECT to 686868
• Live Chat (open 7 pm – midnight ET); https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/

�Counselling Services

• Walk in Counseling Clinics at walkincounselling.com or 613-755-2277
• Services in English, French, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Cantonese and Mandarin at a variety of different locations.
• Counselling Connect at counsellingconnect.org
• Provides free quick way to get phone or video counselling.

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Want to learn more?

Ottawa Public Health has no cost, bilingual online courses available on Olearn:

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• Youth Education Modules

Learn about commercial tobacco, vaping, cannabis and their health effects. Information about smoke-free and vapour-free regulations will be shared with resources and services related to mental health and substance use health.

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• Stigma: How You Can Impact Change

Learn about stigma and how the language we use around mental health, addictions, and substance use health can impact our community.

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Want to learn more?

• Ottawa Public Health
• Stop Overdose Ottawa
• CAPSA
• Health Canada 
• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

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Located in a rural area?�Here’s where to find help:

www.ruralottawayouth.ca

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