Efforts to reduce vaping among Australian youth seem to be showing positive outcomes, according to recent research from Cancer Council Australia. A nationwide study, “Generation Vape,” reveals a significant drop in vaping rates among school-aged children one year after the Australian government banned disposable vapes. This change implies a capability to turn the country’s fight against the rising popularity of e-cigarettes among young people.
Further, it shows that vaping rates among 14- to 17-year-olds fell from 17.5% at the start of 2023 to 14.6% in April of this year. Additionally, the survey found more than a one-third reduction in vaping rates for those over 15. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler observed a significant improvement in vaping rates among young Australians, attributing this progress to the government’s initiatives. He also revealed that authorities had seized over 10 million illegal vapes in the past year.
Mr. Butler stressed the success of the government’s education and prevention campaigns, along with support programs designed to stop individuals from starting vaping and smoking or to help them quit. He remarked that these varied strategies were clearly making a big impact.
New regulations that took effect in July 2024 ban the manufacturing, importing, advertising, and supplying of single-use vapes in Australia. Under these stricter rules, nicotine vapes are now only available with a prescription from pharmacies. However, the country has acknowledged the existence of a robust illicit market for nicotine vapes for several years. The United Kingdom also introduced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes in June of this year, showing a shared international concern about the health risks associated with these products.
While vapes are generally considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes since they do not contain tobacco, health experts repeatedly warn that they are not completely safe. The long-term health effects of vaping are still mostly unknown, leading medical professionals to take a cautious stance. Both Australian and UK officials have expressed particular worry about the increasing use of vapes among young people. Mr. Butler had previously shared his concern that these products might be creating a new generation of nicotine users.
The findings from the “Generation Vape” questionnaire indicated a positive trend in youth disinterest in vaping. Of about 3,000 children aged 14 to 17, 85.4% reported that they had never vaped. Also, less than one-third of these teenagers implied an interest in trying vaping. Cancer Council Australia views this decline as a decrease in curiosity about these products.
Additionally, the researchers discovered that school-age children’s attitudes toward vaping had changed. Interviews conducted for the study revealed that many current or former vapers felt shame or embarrassment about using vapes. This data shows a shift in social opinions regarding these products.
The survey found that while fewer teenagers say they can buy vapes themselves, tobacconists and vape shops continue to be the main sources of sales. This lubricates the ongoing challenge of enforcing regulations and fighting illegal trade.
Mr. Butler mentioned his belief that Australia had passed the “peak of vaping.” Also, he recognized the hardcore nature of the challenge, stating that a lot of work remains not only in addressing vaping but also in dealing with illegal tobacco use. Tobacco usage is the leading cause of preventable death in Australia, and without strong anti-smoking laws, it causes the reasons for the deaths of over 24,000 people every year. The ongoing efforts against vaping are therefore part of a wider public health strategy aimed at reducing nicotine addiction and its harmful effects.
