Calls to crackdown on vaping after spike in young people smoking

Researchers found there has been a record spike in Victorians taking up vaping with 18 to 30-year-olds making up half of vape users in the state.

A Victorian Smoking and Health Survey revealed the number of young women, aged between 18 and 24, using e-cigarettes has spiked from 2.8 per cent in 2018 to 19 to 15.2 per cent in 2022.

VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said a strengthening of borders around the nation is needed to “protect young people”.

“What we’ve seen over the last few years is a flooding of the market of these cheap imported and highly addictive products which young people are breathing deep into their lungs, contain 200 plus chemicals, many of which are banned under current law,” he said.

“Most of them contain nicotine but simply they don’t put it on the packet.

“We’ve seen a huge increase. In four years, a doubling among adults in Victoria and a five-fold increase in the use among young women.”

Demaio said manufacturers are flooding the market with colourful and flavoured vapes which are attractive to young people.

Read Related Also: Linda Evangelista hits the runway for NYFW, closes Fendi show

“They’re using colours and flavours to lure young people in, flavours like fruit loops and milk,” he said.

“They come in the shape of highlighters, of hoodie toggles so you can smuggle them into school and make it difficult for parents and teachers to find them.”

Demaio said the federal government needs to urgently step in and tighten the borders to stop the uptick in people using vapes.

Additionally, Demaio said Victoria needs to introduce a licencing scheme to know who is selling the vapes and to crackdown on the growing illegal market.

Current laws dictate Australians need a prescription to access e-cigarettes containing nicotine.

It is also illegal to import and sell nicotine vapes in Australia.