Generation Vape takes the first look at the impact of Australia's vaping laws
A new report from the Generation Vape research project reveals promising early indicators that Australia's new vape laws are reducing adolescent access to and use of vapes. The Generation Vape study assesses the impact of the laws on adolescents aged 14 to 17.
In June 2024, Australia introduced legislation prohibiting the sale of all vapes outside of pharmacies, aiming to close the "non-nicotine vape loophole" and curb the rise in youth vaping. The laws, which came into full effect in October 2024, build on the importation and sales ban of disposable vaping products, and require adolescents under 18 to have a prescription to access vapes.
All data from Wave 7 of the Generation Vape study was collected following the October law changes and Wave 6 data was collected in the first quarter of 2024.
Key Findings:
- Decrease in Vaping Rates: The proportion of "never-vapers" among adolescents has increased to 85.7% in Wave 7 (November 2024), up from 82.8% in Wave 6. This marks the highest rate of never-vapers across all waves of data collection since the national survey began in 2022.
- Reduction in Smoking Rates: The proportion of adolescents who have never smoked is at its highest level, with 93.9% reporting never having smoked.
- Decline in Vape Purchases: Only 26.8% of adolescents who have vaped reported buying their own vape in Wave 7, a significant decrease from 36.0% in Wave 6.
- Increased Awareness of Vaping Harms: There is growing agreement among adolescents about the harms of vaping, with 82% acknowledging that vapes are unsafe to use and 87% recognising the potential for addiction.
- Vaping less socially acceptable: Fewer adolescents in Wave 7 report that they would vape if one of their best friends were to offer them a vape. The strength of their conviction of refusal has also increased, with over half (50.5%) stating they would definitely not use a vape compared to only than 40% stating definitely not when the survey began in 2022.
"The early indicators from Generation Vape suggest that Australia's comprehensive approach to regulating vapes is having a positive impact on reducing adolescent vaping," explains Professor Becky Freeman, University of Sydney Chief Investigator of the Generation Vape project, "however, continued monitoring and enforcement are crucial to ensure these trends continue."
Increases in the proportion of never-vapers and decline in vape purchases among adolescents show early indication of the success of current laws across the country, "unless importers and retailers know they will be subject to heavy penalties and loss of license to operate, they will continue to defy the laws," says Professor Freeman.
Anita Dessaix, Director of Prevention and Advocacy at Cancer Council NSW says Australia is among the first countries in the world to show early signs of success in slowing or halting the rise of vape access in young people, "it shows that Australia is on the right track and emphasises the need for continued public education campaigns about the harms of vaping and for high-levels of ongoing government law enforcement.
"Continued focus on a comprehensive approach to both vape and tobacco use prevention and cessation is paramount." Concluded Ms Dessaix.
