- Latest health data shows a sharp rise in the rate of school students trying vapes in Queensland.
- Almost twice as many young adults are vaping compared with 2018.
- Tobacco smoking has dropped to just 10.1 per cent.
- The release of the data comes as the government is poised to push tough new vaping laws through Queensland Parliament.
New Queensland Health data has laid bare the extent of the state’s teenage vaping crisis.
The data, to be included in an update to the Chief Health Officer’s Report, shows 35.6 per cent of school students aged 12-17 had tried an electronic cigarette before when surveyed in 2022-2023.
This is more than twice the rate recorded in 2017, when 15.5 per cent of the same age group stated they had ever tried vaping.
The trend was similar with young adults, with 45.3 per cent of Queenslanders aged 18-29 vaping in 2022, almost twice the rate reported in 2018 (23.5 per cent).
In positive news, the tobacco smoking rate in 2023 dropped to 10.1 per cent, meaning the rates of Queensland adults who lit up daily had halved over the past 20 years.
The rate of Australian school students aged 16-17 who smoked cigarettes in the past week has dropped to just 2.9 per cent – down from 29.8 per cent in 1996.
To disrupt and prevent the supply of illegal smoking and vaping products, Queensland Health works with Queensland Police Service and federal agencies like the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Border Force to enforce state and federal controls.
Last year Queensland Health also introduced a ‘There’s Nothing Sweet About Vapes’ campaign to specifically target young people on social media platforms, to highlight the harmful chemicals and health effects.
The Miles Labor Government is also increasing funding to Quitline to $5.1 million each year to ensure tailored support can be provided to more people addicted to nicotine, including for young people.
Queensland Health and Education Queensland have also implemented a new ‘Pathways to Cessation’ program is promoting working in collaboration to develop and implement a pilot vaping/tobacco smoking cessation support program for secondary school students (aged 12-18) and supporting vaping cessation in Queensland secondary schools.
The Miles Government is also progressing tough new laws which, if passed, will increase penalties for the commercial supply or possession of illicit nicotine products such as vapes, as well as black-market tobacco.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
“The new vaping data is shocking and it’s why the Miles Government is taking strong action to protect Queenslanders from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and tobacco products.
“While it’s good news to see tobacco smoking has dropped, the rates of vaping amongst young Queenslanders are extremely concerning.
“It’s clear that vapes are marketed towards young people with their bright packaging flavours like blueberry and bubble gum.
“As a government, we are determined to crack down on these dangerous product suppliers who have no regard for the health of Queenslanders.
“That’s why we are progressing new vaping and tobacco legislation today that, if passed, will impose some of the harshest penalties in Australia for rogue retailers.”
As stated by Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard:
“I’m very concerned that vaping use continues to rise in popularity among younger Queenslanders while the evidence of potential health harms also continues to mount. The data shows the situation is worsening.
“The range of health risks linked to vaping are expanding and include damage to lungs, nicotine addiction and toxicity and increasing evidence of adverse effects on mental health.
“In young people, a key health concern about vaping is the risk it will lead to tobacco use. There is strong evidence that tobacco use is three times more likely for non-smokers who vape.
“The high levels of nicotine in illegal vape products are of particular concern in young people given the critical period of brain development that occurs in adolescence.
“Vaping can also lead to tobacco use. There is strong evidence that tobacco use is three times more likely for non-smokers who vape.
“We need to take strong action to address this major public health problem. Stricter legislation is an important part of that response.
