Health professionals have called the situation “alarming” because the percentage of youngsters who smoke has climbed for the first time in 25 years.
According to data analyzed by Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for the Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC), the percentage of 14 to 17-year-olds who smoke tobacco has increased dramatically over the past four years, from 2.1% in 2018 to 6.7% in 2022.
The study also found a rise in e-cigarette usage. In 2018, less than 1% of those aged 14 to 17 reported vaping; by 2022 and early 2023, that number had risen to 11.8% and 14.5%, respectively.
The report’s chief researcher and acting head of the CBRC, Sarah Durkin, claimed that Australia’s effort to reduce smoking was in jeopardy due to the surge in smoking and vaping.
It’s alarming, said Durkin. Since the early to mid-1990s, we haven’t noticed a rise in teen smoking until now.
The risk of a person becoming a regular, long-term smoker increases the earlier they try cigarettes. And we know that up to 2/3 of long-term smokers pass away from smoking.
Before switching to tobacco, she claimed, teens were probably using vapes, which create the compounds using flavours.
According to Durkin, vaping “can be a gateway into smoking.” Cohort studies that follow young individuals over time and discover that those who vape are three times as likely to start smoking later on support the pattern.
The percentage of Australians who smoke or vape increased from 12.8% to 16.5% between 2018 and 2022.
All age categories have seen an increase in the percentage of people who use both tobacco and e-cigarettes, with those under 35 experiencing the most significant increases. From 0.3% in 2018 to 4.4% in 2022, the proportion of 14 to 17-year-olds who smoke and vape has climbed.
According to Australian National University public health expert Emily Banks, one of the significant concerns in public health is that vaping will undo Australia’s impressive smoking reduction statistics.
Any amount of youth smoking, according to Banks, is exceedingly troubling. “Smoking significantly raises the risk of heart disease and cancer, even at deficient levels.”
According to a Department of Health spokeswoman, the results are “a concern”.
The spokesman stated that the results “reinforce the importance of government action to reduce smoking and stamp out vaping – particularly among young Australians – through stronger legislation, enforcement, education, and support.”
Last month, The government said it would crack down on vaping, outlawing all single-use disposable vaporizers, halting the import of the products, and limiting flavours and eye-catching packaging.
According to the spokesperson, expanding graphic health warnings and banning product ingredients that conceal the actual dangers of smoking are two aspects of the proposed ongoing change of cigarettes.
“It is evident that a public health emergency is occurring right now. Before smoking and vaping habits among young Australians become more established, we have a window of opportunity that is rapidly closing. And we compel immediate action from all governments.
