The rate of smoking among teenagers is increasing for the first time in more than two decades, a new study from the Cancer Council has confirmed.
The research shows smoking has been increasing in young people aged between 14-year-olds to 17-year-olds during the last four years, which is in tandem with big increases in vaping.
“What we know from international cohort studies is that they follow the kids over time, those who vape are three times as likely to smoke,” Sarah Durkin from Cancer Council Victoria said.
“It’s really disturbing the way they (vapes) have been advertised and promoted to young people,” she said.
“We’re worried this is evidence is really consistent with a gateway effect from vaping into smoking among this age group.”
Durkin believes the issues needs to be tackled “on multiple fronts”.
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“There is a big package of reforms that health minister Mark Butler has put forward, including restricting access to e- cigarettes, as well as a number of measures to reduce the attractiveness and increase education around tobacco again.
“One of the things that is in that package is banning menthol in cigarettes and other additives which makes the feeling of the smoke as it goes down the throat and into the lungs feel less harsh and less harmful than it actually is.”
She said reducing menthol was a really good measure as that was the type most children usual start experimenting with, leading to addiction.
Help for quitting smoking is available from Quitline on 137 848.
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