Nicotine Addiction Persists Among Young Australians Despite Vaping Backlash

Strategic Insights -

A recent study has found that, despite the decline in vaping, nicotine addiction remains a significant concern among young Australians. The Generation Vape study, conducted by the University of Sydney, revealed that while vaping increased rapidly among teenagers from 2019, this trend may be slowing or even reversing.

University student Ben, who started vaping at 15 and struggled with nicotine addiction for years, expressed his regret over not being warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," he said. The health impacts of e-cigarettes, according to Cancer Council ACT, include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia, and mood changes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024.
  • Cancer Council ACT reported that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit.
  • Vapes have a bad reputation among young people, with a common stereotype being that those who use them are "weird" or "childish."
  • Associate Professor Becky Freeman, lead author of the Generation Vape study, said most young Australians have never used nicotine products and are increasingly embarrassed to vape.
  • Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco.
  • Nicotine pouches, also known as Zyns or upperdeckies, have emerged as a new nicotine product among young people.
  • Cancer Council reported that 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years.
  • Nicotine pouches are linked to damage to the mouth, symptoms of excessive nicotine use, and long-term effects on brain development.
  • Associate Professor Becky Freeman claimed that the pouches are another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people.
  • Ben, the university student, said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription.

Statistics:

  • 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch.
  • 13,780 pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023, a 950 per cent increase from the previous two years.

Sources:

  • Lanie Tindale, "I wish I'd never had nicotine," _ABC News_, 2023
  • Generation Vape report, University of Sydney, 2025
  • Cancer Council ACT, _The Health Impacts of E-Cigarettes_
  • Association of Independent Schools of the ACT, _Australian Curriculum_