New research reveals concerning results of how many Australian teenagers will take up smoking after vaping

Australian teenagers who have vaped are five times more likely to take up smoking than those who have not, a landmark study reveals.

In a first-of-its-kind study, research from the Daffodil Centre showed the risk increased the younger a person started vaping, with a 12-year-old who had used an e-cigarette 29 times more likely to light up a cigarette.

The study used survey data collected in 2023, prior to recent vaping reforms coming into effect, from more than 5,000 teenagers analysed in the Generation Vape report — a research project that looked at attitudes and behaviours among young people and vaping.

In WA, the data showed almost a quarter of teens had vaped and one in 10 had tried smoking.

University of Sydney associate professor Becky Freeman said it was a sobering reminder of the need for state and federal governments to work together to fully implement Australia’s new vaping reforms.

Overhauled vaping laws came into effect in July with vapes only allowed to be sold in pharmacies and only after chemists have a discussion with the customer about health harms.

Vapes will also only be sold in plain packaging and without flavouring under the reforms designed to protect children.

WA laws go a step further — only allowing people to buy a vape who have a prescription from their doctor.

Professor Freeman said the study highlights the need for strong enforcement of the national vaping reforms.

“When it comes to teenage smoking, up until recently Australia was an international success story,” she said.

“Our Australian teenager smoking rates dropped from 58 per cent in 1996 to 14 per cent in 2023 but recent data has suggested a possible increase in teenage smoking over the same time period that vape use has exploded.

“Public health experts have warned that teenage vaping uptake has the potential to undo the positive progress Australia has made in reducing smoking. This latest study shows how real that threat is.”

Public Health Association of Australia chief executive and Curtin University adjunct professor Terry Slevin said that while the vaping reforms had been welcomed, positive change won’t happen overnight.

“We need to make sure that state and territory governments are harmonising their local legislation and enforcement with the federal reforms,” he said.

“All levels of government will need to work together to protect young people.”