Lexi Webster
Vaping is becoming increasingly common in Australia, especially among young people. The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) found that in 2022–23, 19.8% of people aged 14 and over had used e-cigarettes at least once, with 7% currently using them regularly. Young people aged 18 to 24 were the most likely to have used e-cigarettes, with almost half (49%) having tried them and over one-fifth (21%) currently using them. This trend is concerning, as the health consequences of vaping are still unknown, and it may lead to nicotine addiction and other health risks.
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What You'll Learn
Vaping among Australian youth
Vaping is a rapidly evolving public health crisis in Australia, with increasing rates among young people. The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) found that in 2022–23, 19.8% of people aged 14 and over had used an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime, with past-year use increasing from 2.5% in 2019 to 7% in 2022-23. This trend is particularly prominent among youth, with teen use in the past year surging from 1.8% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2022-23, and daily use reported by 5.7% of girls and 1.8% of boys. An Australian schools survey revealed that 12.9% of 12-15-year-olds had vaped in the last month, and 22.1% of 16-17-year-olds admitted to vaping within the same timeframe.
The rise in vaping among Australian youth is concerning, with teenagers accessing and using illegal, flavoured, disposable vaping products that contain nicotine. A study by the University of Sydney surveyed over 700 teenagers aged 14-17 from New South Wales, finding that 32% had ever vaped, with more than half (54%) never having smoked previously. The normalisation of teen vaping is evident, with the most popular devices being designed to appeal to young people, despite manufacturers' claims that they are intended solely as smoking cessation aids for adults.
The ease of access to vaping products contributes significantly to their popularity among Australian youth. In the University of Sydney study, 70% of teens reported that they didn't directly purchase their last vape, and over half (57%) of those aged 15-24 obtained them from friends or family members. The inexpensive nature of disposable vapes, costing as little as $5 online, makes them even more accessible to young people. The wide range of appealing flavours, from chewing gum and fruit to soft drinks and desserts, also plays a role in attracting teens to vaping, with flavourings rated as the most important characteristic by users.
To address the growing issue of youth vaping in Australia, the government has implemented regulatory changes. From early 2024, stronger controls will be enforced on the importation, manufacture, advertising, supply, and commercial possession of all e-cigarette devices and components, regardless of nicotine content. Additionally, a ban on importing vapes without an import license and permit has been introduced, and specific product requirements limit flavours to mint, menthol, or tobacco. Therapeutic vapes, intended for smoking cessation or managing nicotine dependence, require a prescription until October 1, 2024, after which they will be available in pharmacies without a prescription for those aged 18 and over.
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Vaping rates in 2022-23
Vaping rates in Australia have been on the rise in recent years, with a significant increase between 2022 and 2023. According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) 2022-2023, the number of people using e-cigarettes or vapes in Australia has almost doubled since 2019, with 20% of Australians having used one in their lifetime. This equates to an estimated 700,000 people, up from 100,000 in 2016 and 200,000 in 2019.
In 2022-2023, almost half of those currently using e-cigarettes (49%) did so daily, and 68% used them at least weekly. This is a notable increase from previous years, indicating a growing trend towards regular vaping among Australians.
The survey also revealed that the use of e-cigarettes containing nicotine was prevalent, despite regulations requiring a prescription for their purchase. Among those who had ever used e-cigarettes, 54% reported that the last one they used contained nicotine. This proportion was even higher among current e-cigarette users, with 73% reporting their last device contained nicotine.
Vaping rates vary across different demographic groups in Australia. For example, daily tobacco smoking is highest among people aged 40-49 (11%) and 50-59 (12%) in 2022-2023. In contrast, younger people are more likely to use e-cigarettes, with 12.9% of teens aged 12-15 and 22.1% of 16-17-year-olds having vaped in the last month, according to an Australian schools survey. There are also socioeconomic factors at play, with people in the most disadvantaged areas more likely to smoke tobacco and those in advantaged areas more likely to use e-cigarettes.
While the overall number of people smoking tobacco in Australia has been declining, with an estimated 1.8 million people or 8.3% of the population smoking daily in 2022-2023, the concurrent rise in vaping rates is a concern for public health officials. The Australian Government has recognised this by implementing stricter controls on the importation, manufacture, advertising, supply, and commercial possession of all e-cigarette devices and components, with further reforms expected in 2024.
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Vaping in urban areas
Vaping is becoming increasingly common in Australia, with a particular rise in young people taking up the habit. The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) found that in 2022–23, 19.8% of people aged 14 and over had used an e-cigarette at least once, with 7% vaping at least once a month. This is a notable increase from 2019, when only 11.3% had ever used e-cigarettes, and 2.5% were current users.
Young people are significantly more likely to vape, with those aged 15-19 being 13.8% more likely to use e-cigarettes and vapes than 30-39-year-olds, and 29% more likely than those over 60. The HILDA Survey, which follows the lives of over 17,000 Australians, found that vaping is most popular with 15-24-year-olds, with almost half (49%) of 18-24-year-olds having vaped at least once in their lifetime, and over one in five (21%) currently vaping. This is supported by the Australian Secondary Students' Alcohol and Drug Survey (ASSAD), which found that 29.9% of 12-17-year-olds have tried vaping.
There is a clear link between living in an urban area and vaping, with those in major cities more likely to take up the habit. This is coupled with the fact that younger people are more likely to vape, and they are also more likely to live in urban areas. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as the influence of peer groups, the availability of vaping products, and the appeal of vaping as a social activity.
The rise in vaping among young people in urban areas is a significant health concern. While the long-term health consequences of vaping are still unknown, inhaling the ingredients in vaping products could have damaging effects. To address this, the Australian government introduced new regulations in January 2024 to severely restrict access to vapes and e-cigarettes. These measures aim to reduce the appeal of vaping to young people and decrease the likelihood of taking up the habit.
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Vaping's health consequences
In Australia, as of 2022, 14.4% of adults have used e-cigarettes or vaping devices, with 19.8% of people aged 14 and over reporting that they had used an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime. While vaping is often considered a safer alternative to smoking, it still has adverse health effects.
Firstly, vaping is highly addictive due to the nicotine present in most e-cigarettes. Nicotine causes changes in the brain, leading to increased cravings and potential health problems. The addictive nature of nicotine can result in individuals being unable to stop vaping, even if they experience negative health consequences. This addiction can develop quickly, especially in adolescents, as nicotine affects brain development, which continues until around age 25. Therefore, youth are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of nicotine, which can impact their attention, learning, mood, and impulse control.
Secondly, the aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains harmful substances, including cancer-causing chemicals and tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These particles can cause serious lung injuries, such as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury), and respiratory irritation. Additionally, some flavourings used in e-cigarettes, such as diacetyl, have been linked to serious lung diseases. The long-term inhalation of these chemicals can lead to permanent lung damage, such as lung scarring, and the development of respiratory conditions like asthma.
Furthermore, vaping has been linked to an increased likelihood of cigarette smoking in the future, particularly in youth. This is concerning as cigarette smoking is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. While e-cigarettes are often marketed as a tool to help smokers quit, the potential for nicotine addiction and the presence of harmful chemicals in the vapour raise concerns about their effectiveness and safety as a smoking cessation aid.
Finally, there are safety concerns associated with the batteries in vaping devices. There have been reported incidents of batteries exploding, causing serious injuries and burns to users.
While the long-term health effects of vaping are still being studied, the available evidence suggests that vaping carries significant health risks. It is essential to recognize that no tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, is safe.
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Government regulations on vaping
The Australian government has implemented a range of tobacco control policies since 1973 to reduce smoking rates. These policies include taxation on tobacco products, restrictions on advertising, smoke-free laws in certain locations, information and warnings on tobacco packaging, and mass media educational campaigns.
From 1 July 2024, new laws were enacted, stating that all vapes and vaping products, regardless of nicotine content, can only be sold in pharmacies to aid smoking cessation or manage nicotine dependence. This means that it is illegal for any other business, such as vape shops or convenience stores, to sell any vape products. From 1 October 2024, adults aged 18 and over can purchase vapes without a prescription from participating pharmacies, provided the nicotine concentration is 20 mg/mL or less. A prescription is still required for those under 18 or for higher nicotine concentrations. Additionally, only one month's supply can be purchased per month, and pharmacists are not obligated to dispense therapeutic vapes.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has introduced stronger controls on the importation, manufacture, and supply of vapes, with new offence and civil penalties for unlawful activities. The advertising of vapes is now banned across all media platforms, including social media, with limited exceptions.
The government's focus is on protecting young people from the harms of vaping and nicotine dependence, as well as reducing the likelihood of people substituting smoking for vaping. The National Tobacco Strategy 2023–2030 has been developed with input from various stakeholders and is endorsed by all Australian governments.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022–23, 19.8% of people aged 14 and over reported having used e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, with 7% currently using e-cigarettes at various frequencies.
Vaping is most prevalent among young people aged 15 to 24. In 2022–23, 49% of people aged 18 to 24 had used e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, and 21% were currently using them. Almost 1 in 10 people in this age group reported vaping daily.
No, vaping is less common than smoking in Australia. In 2022, 14.4% of adults had used e-cigarettes or vaping devices, while 10.6% were current daily smokers.
Young people living in major urban areas and having a lower level of education are associated with a greater likelihood of vaping. Professor Wilkins of the University of Melbourne has expressed concern over the appeal of vapes and e-cigarettes to younger Australians due to the unknown health consequences of their ingredients.
