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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery operated devices that heat a liquid (called ‘e-liquid’) to produce a vapour that users inhale.  Although their composition varies, e-liquids typically contain a range of chemicals, which may include nicotine.

E-cigarettes are a topic of contention, with stakeholders holding a range of views about their safety and whether they can minimise harm to smokers or help them to quit smoking altogether. International evidence is emerging of a possible link between the use of e-cigarettes and lung disease. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for e-cigarettes to undermine existing tobacco-control measures, by renormalising smoking, or providing young people with an alternative entryway into nicotine addiction and tobacco cigarette smoking.

On 3 April 2017, the NHMRC CEO issued a statement on e-cigarettes to help consumers and policy-makers understand the current evidence for their safety and efficacy.

It concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence to support claims that e-cigarettes are safe, and further research is needed to enable the long-term safety, quality and efficacy of e-cigarettes to be assessed.

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Looking for information on alcohol and other drugs?

This directory may help you. It has a collection of websites formally reviewed and rated out of five stars by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

Search the directory to find our ratings, reviews and summaries of websites related to drugs and alcohol, mental health and health promotion.

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Cornerstone Youth Services Inc. (CYS) delivers a range of services to young people aged 12 – 25, their families and friends, in North and North-West Tasmania. We focus on health promotion, education, early intervention and prevention, advocacy, case management and developing help-seeking behaviours.

Complementary and alternative medicine’ describes a wide range of healthcare medicines and therapies. Many Australians use complementary medicines for specific health conditions or health benefits. To help Australians to make informed decisions about their health care, we support research into complementary and alternative medicine and publish information about the effectiveness of various treatments.

NHMRC is of the view that all health treatments, whether conventional, traditional or complementary, should be subject to a rigorous evaluation of the evidence for effectiveness. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), also referred to as Complementary Medicine (CM), are broad terms used to describe a wide range of health care medicines and therapies (forms of treatment that do not involve medicines).

City Mission provide a variety of Alcohol and Other Drug services:

Serenity House

Serenity House is a Sobering Up and Place of Safety facility located at Sulphur Creek, North West Tasmania.

It is also a place for ‘time-out’, offering communal living under the support and supervision of trained staff. Counselling is available, along with referral to other agencies and follow-up when requested. Time-out is available for people from any part of the state where substance misuse is the primary presenting need for support.

Missiondale

The Missiondale Therapeutic Community (TC) is a 34 bed residential facility located on a 25-acre peaceful rural property in Evandale, Tasmania. The program is made up of six different stages, taking up to 6 months to complete. Residents of all stages live together in shared accommodation (lounges, kitchens, bathrooms – but you will have your own bedroom) to support each other through the program.

Places of Safety

The City Mission's Places of Safety exist to provide support to people over the age of 18 found in public places by Police who are behaving in a manner likely to cause injury to themselves or another person or are incapable of protecting themselves from physical harm. Admission to a Place of Safety can only be obtained by Police referral.

SMART

SMART recovery (self-management and recovery training) is a program that offers a chance to work together, to examine and change problem behaviours including drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, internet and others. SMART is a practical and solution focused program using evidence-based tools such as cognitive behavior therapy and motivational tools and techniques. The group is a safe place where you can express yourself freely and respectfully.

Formerly NCPIC, this website contains factsheets, screening tools and information about Cannabis, from the very basics of what cannabis is to tools to help people quit using.

The HealthInfoNet‘s translational research aims at providing the knowledge and other information needed for practitioners and policy-makers to make informed decisions in their work.

Drugs are substances, other than food or water, that alter the way the body functions, physically or mentally. Most are used to treat medical conditions and are prescribed by a doctor, but some are illegal. Drugs can be dangerous. Find help to reduce your drug use or support someone close to you.

Alcohol is a drug that affects your body – how you think, feel and behave. Drinking too much can affect your health and disrupt your life. Learn about guidelines to reduce your risk. Find help to reduce your own drinking or support someone close to you.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) is Australia’s leading organisation committed to inspiring positive change and delivering evidence-based approaches to minimise alcohol and drug harm.

Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol

Alcohol is the most widely used drug in Australia. People drink alcohol for a range of reasons and in different social and cultural contexts, but alcohol can cause harm to the person who drinks and sometimes to others around them.

NHMRC has guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. The guidelines provide health professionals, policy makers and the Australian community with evidence-based advice on the health effects of drinking alcohol. They also help people make informed decisions about how much alcohol they drink, if any.

• This booklet has been written for people who use alcohol, tobacco or other drugswho are experiencing anxiety.

• It aims to:

— Help explain why some people feel the way they do.

— Give suggestions about things people can do to help manage symptoms of anxietyand substance use.