Vape Check
What is the main addictive chemical found in most vapes?
What is nicotine?
What part of the brain does nicotine mess with to make it addictive?
The reward system or dopamine center in the brain, which nicotine overstimulates to create feelings of pleasure, making the brain crave more and leading to addiction.
Myth or Fact: Vaping is just harmless water vapor.
Myth: vape aerosol contains harmful chemicals like nicotine, heavy metals, and toxic flavoring agents—not just water.
What part of your body is hit hardest by vaping?
Lungs or your breathing system
How old do you have to be to buy vapes in Ontario?
19
True or False: All vape products contain nicotine.
False — not all vape products contain nicotine, as some are made with zero-nicotine e-liquids or other substances like CBD or THC.
How fast can someone your age get hooked on nicotine?
Within a few days — even after one try
Myth or Fact: Nicotine can mess with how well you focus or learn.
Fact - Because nicotine affects brain development and can interfere with attention, memory, and learning—especially in young people.
True or False: Vaping can lead to chest pain and shortness of breath.
True - Vaping can irritate the lungs and airways, leading to symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath—even in young, healthy people.
What’s the fine for vaping where it's not allowed in Ontario?
Up to $1,000 for a first offense
What are two health risks that can happen from regular vaping?
Lung damage and nicotine addiction
What kind of drug is nicotine?
Stimulant
Myth or Fact: If you only vape at parties, you won’t get addicted.
Myth - Because even occasional use can lead to addiction, especially in young people whose brains are more sensitive to nicotine.
What’s one mental health issue that nicotine can make worse?
Anxiety, Depression, Increased feelings of stress
Where in Peel are you not allowed to vape in public?
Anywhere smoking is banned — like schools, malls, and buses
What do people sometimes wrongly think when a vape says “zero nicotine”?
That it’s totally safe or not addictive
What are some things people feel when they try to quit nicotine?
Being irritable, anxious, craving it, or having trouble sleeping
Myth or Fact: Vapes are a safe way for young people to quit smoking.
Myth - Because vapes are not approved as quit tools for young people and can lead to dual use or continued nicotine addiction.
What’s “popcorn lung”?
Popcorn lung is a serious lung disease that scars and narrows your airways, making it hard to breathe, and it’s been linked to inhaling certain chemicals found in some flavored vapes and factory fumes.
True or False: PAARC offers support for people who are interested in stopping smoking or vaping nicotine.
True: We offer counselling and a smoking cessation program which helps folks with nicotine-replacement therapy.
What does “nicotine salt” mean in vape pods?
Smoother form of nicotine that hits your brain faster
Why is nicotine even more addictive for young people (under 25) than adults (over 25)?
Brains of people under 25 are still developing, making them more sensitive to the effects of nicotine and more likely to get addicted quickly
Myth or Fact: Some vape brands have used fun flavors and ads to target youth.
Fact - Because companies have marketed colorful packaging, sweet flavors, and social media ads that appeal directly to young people.
How can nicotine mess with the brains of young people long-term?
Memory problems, mood swings, or trouble with impulse control
About what percent of young people in Ontario (ages 16–24) say they vaped in the past month?
Around 25–30% (depending on the year)