Teen smoking increases

The rate of smoking among Australian teenagers has increased for the first time in 25 years, according to new research by Cancer Council Victoria.

The five-year study found the number of 14 to 17 year olds smoking has tripled in four years, and teens who vape are three times as likely to take up smoking.

Teenagers are also vaping much more than they are smoking now compared to four years ago.

According to the findings of the study, released last month, about 1 per cent of 14-17 year olds vaped and 2.1 per cent of the same age group smoked in 2018. Both figures jumped by 2022, with the proportion of smokers rising to 6.7 per cent and the proportion of vapers soaring to 11.8 per cent.

Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer prepared the study for the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Smoking is still the biggest avoidable cause of disease and death in Australia, claiming about 4,400 lives each year in Victoria alone.

Barwon Health’s website states one in five people in the Geelong region smoke, rising to as high as one in three in some areas.

Cancer Council Victoria and Quit say smoking rates have been reducing over the years, particularly since tobacco plain packaging legislation was introduced 10 years ago, but the prevalence of vape use threatens to reverse this trend.

“The announcement of plans to stop the flood of imported e-cigarettes at the Australian border is a crucial first step which now must be matched by rapid and decisive action at the state level,” Cancer Council Victoria chief executive officer Todd Harper said.

Quit acting director Craig Sinclair said his organisation had “watched in horror” as e-cigarette and vape use by young people in Victoria has rapidly increased.

“Just when smoking rates among teenagers were approaching zero, we have seen a new vaping epidemic take off like wildfire.

“It took us decades to understand the health impacts of smoking. What we do know about e-cigarettes is that use can impede brain development in young people, lead to seizures and loss of concentration, exacerbate mood disorders, inhibit sleep and cause irritability and anxiety. We also know that people who vape are three times more likely to smoke cigarettes.”

Cancer Council Victoria has launched a campaign and online hub so teenagers can get the facts on vaping.

Parents, carers and teachers are encouraged to visit the hub at vapingfacts.org.au/seethroughthehaze

If you, or someone you know, needs help to quit, phone the Barwon Health Be Smokefree Clinics on 1300 715 673, or QUIT line on 13 78 48.