Vaping Drops Among Australian Teens After New Government Laws

After years of growing concern over the rise of vaping among school-aged children, the Australian government has finally seen a hopeful shift. According to the latest research, vaping rates among teenagers are going down — a clear sign that recent laws and efforts might be working.

This positive update was shared by the federal health minister, Mark Butler, who revealed new data showing a drop in the number of young Australians using vapes.

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What the New Research Shows

The most important finding comes from a study called Generation Vape, run by the Cancer Council of Australia. This is one of the most complete and reliable studies on vaping trends in the country. It found that:

• Vaping among 14 to 17-year-olds dropped from 17.5% in early 2023 to 14.6% in April 2024.

• Among people over 15 years of age, vaping also dropped — in fact, by more than one-third.

• Adults between 30 to 59 years of age also showed a major decrease in vaping habits.

These numbers are a big deal because they reflect how the situation is improving after being on a dangerous path for years.

The Role of New Vaping Laws

These changes come after strong laws were introduced in July 2024 to stop the rising trend, especially among kids. Some of the new rules include:

• Disposable vapes are banned.

• Vapes can only be bought from pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription.

• Sales in petrol stations, smoke shops, or convenience stores are now illegal.

• Advertising of vape products is not allowed at all.

• Anyone under 18 needs a doctor’s prescription to get a vape.

These rules are among the strictest in the world and are designed to make vaping harder to access and less socially acceptable — especially among teenagers.

Illegal Vape Sales and Black Market Concerns

Even though the laws are strict, illegal or black-market sales are still happening. Under-the-counter sales are a problem, especially where people sell vapes secretly, without any checks or age restrictions.

Experts say that when legal cigarettes are expensive and vape rules get tougher, illegal sales often rise. This creates a black market that is harder to control and more dangerous for young users.

Still, the government is trying hard to keep illegal vapes out of the country. Since January 2024, more than 10 million illegal vapes have been caught by the Australian Border Force and Therapeutic Goods Administration. Of those, 2.5 million were seized in just the first six months after the ban started.

Government’s Stand on Vaping

Health Minister Mark Butler is clear: the government is not backing down.

He said that between 2018 and 2023, vaping increased sharply, especially among young people. But now, “vaping rates for young Australians have turned the corner,” he said in a public statement.

Butler explained that education campaigns, prevention support, and strict rules are helping reduce interest in vaping. These campaigns aim to tell young people the real health risks linked to vaping — including lung damage, addiction, and other long-term health effects.

Changing Attitudes Toward Vaping

The report also found some good signs in how young people think about vaping:

• Over 85% of young people said they have never tried vaping.

• Smoking rates are the lowest ever recorded in the history of this survey.

• Curiosity about vaping is going down — fewer young people are even interested in trying it.

• Some students said they now feel embarrassed or ashamed to be seen vaping.

• Many do not want to be labelled a "vaper" anymore.

This change in mindset is important. If young people no longer see vaping as “cool” or socially acceptable, they are less likely to start.

School Suspensions Due to Vaping Also Decreasing

In South Australia, school suspensions related to vaping have gone down by 50% since the new rules began.

Here are the numbers:

• In Term 1 of 2023, there were 388 suspensions.

• In Term 1 of 2024, that number dropped to 186.

• This 50% decline trend has continued in the next school terms as well.

This shows that the laws are not only working on paper but also making a difference in classrooms.

Why the Crackdown Matters

Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but studies show that it can still seriously harm young people’s lungs — just like smoking.

The government's plan is to stop children and teenagers from using vapes early on, so they don’t become addicted and eventually switch to tobacco. That’s because tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death in Australia, killing more than 24,000 people each year.

So, while vaping may seem harmless to some, the long-term risks are very real.

Looking to the Future

Minister Butler made it clear that the full effect of these changes won’t happen overnight. Reducing vaping and smoking rates is a long-term effort.

But he also said, “We are here for the long haul for a healthier Australia.”

This means the government will keep pushing forward, making laws stricter, increasing awareness, and educating people until vaping is no longer a trend, especially for children.

A Warning From The Past

Before this turnaround, Cancer Council Victoria found that in 2023, the number of 14–17-year-olds using both tobacco and vapes had started increasing again. That was the first increase since the 1990s.

This was a red flag and a major reason why stronger actions were taken.

Now, just a year later, there is hope that the trend is reversing.

The drop in vaping rates among young Australians is a hopeful sign. With new laws, better education, and strong enforcement, the country may finally be moving in the right direction after years of worrying growth in vape use among teens.

Still, the fight isn’t over. Illegal sales, curiosity, and peer pressure remain big challenges. But for now, the data shows a clear improvement — and that’s something worth celebrating.

If the trend continues, Australia could become a global leader in protecting its youth from the harmful effects of vaping.