A 2021 ASH (Action for Smokefree 2025) Year 10 Survey, has indicated that in parallel with increased vaping rates among 13 and 14-year-olds, smoking rates have dropped to a record low.
Findings from the Youth19 vaping survey published in the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health last December, reported that 80% of the minors who have ever vaped and almost 50% of the regular vapers, had never smoked a cigarette before they started vaping.
“The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation (ARFNZ) has been speaking out on the rise in teen vaping since 2017,” says ARFNZ Chief Executive Letitia Harding. “The Youth19 research offers yet more evidence that this is a problem. While vapes can be a helpful tool for smokers trying to quit when combined with behavioural support, many children and young people are picking up a vape having never smoked a cigarette. Vapes are not without harm, and can be highly addictive. Many studies are now available that show the negative impact of nicotine on adolescent brain development.”
However a survey carried out by the Ministry of Health in December, highlighted that the situation is more positive than is being led on as the increase in vaping is leading to a decrease in smoking rates, with smoking dropping from 11.9% in the 2019-2020 survey to 9.4% in 2021.
Diane Caruana – Vaping Post – 2022-10-10.
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