As of recent data (late 2024/early 2025), approximately 15% of Australian teens aged 14-17 were vaping, a slight decrease from a peak of 18% in early 2023. Broader surveys indicate that around 16% of all secondary school students had vaped in the past month as of late 2023.
There's been concern in recent years about a rise in youth vaping, with the 2022-23 national Australian schools survey reporting: 30% of secondary students had tried vaping at least once. 12.9% of 12-15-year-olds had vaped in the last month. 22.1% of 16-17-year-olds had vaped in the last month.
Key findings from ASH's e-cigarette report:
In 2022, 7.0% of 11-17 year olds were current users, compared to 3.3% in 2021 and 4.1% in 2020. Children under 16 are least likely to try e-cigarettes. 10.4% of 11-15 year olds have tried vaping, compared to 29.1% of 16-17 year olds.
However, vaping increased to 15.5% among young adults in 2023 (CDC). Highest prevalence: Young adults aged 18 to 25 (14.1% or 4.7 million people) vaped the most, followed by adolescents aged 12 to 17 (5.2% or 1.4 million people), then by adults aged 26 or older (3.2% or 7.1 million people).
Yes, your lungs can begin to heal and improve significantly after quitting vaping, even after four years, with inflammation decreasing and lung function returning, but the extent of recovery depends on the damage; some severe damage, like scarring from conditions such as Popcorn Lung (Bronchiolitis Obliterans), might be permanent, emphasizing that quitting sooner offers the best chance for substantial healing, though some issues could linger or become chronic.
We know that vaping can damage your lungs and harm the brain, which is still developing and maturing into your late 20s. The long-term effects of vaping aren't known yet, but what we know right now isn't great. There's no such thing as safe vaping, even occasional vaping can be harmful to your health.
No, IGET vapes are not considered safe, with health authorities reporting serious acute illnesses (seizures, collapse) linked to them, especially in youth, due to undisclosed nicotine and harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein (found in insect killer) often present, even if labeled nicotine-free, and containing lung irritants and potential carcinogens, making them a significant public health concern.
Not only is it illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18, it is also against the law to buy them for anyone who is underage. Despite the rules, children across the country are still getting their hands on them.
Heavy vaping can be harmful to health, so it's important to practice moderation. Vapers should aim to keep their puff count within a safe range. Studies suggest that approximately 140 puffs per day are safe for most vapers. Puff counters can be useful tools for tracking vaping habits and staying within safe limits.
Background. Because cigarette smoking typically begins during adolescence, smoking is often described as a “pediatric disease.” Nearly 90 percent of adults in the United States who smoke daily began smoking by age 18, and 98 percent first smoked by age 26.
Signs of vaping include: new health issues such as coughing or wheezing. e-cigarette supplies, like cartridges or other suspicious looking items.
The Chemistry Behind Vape Odors
Vaping materials release a distinct set of chemicals upon heating, each contributing uniquely to the ambient scent. Nicotine-based liquids often carry a faint, tobacco-like smell, less pungent than traditional cigarette smoke but noticeable in enclosed spaces.
What to know. There are many reasons youth might vape. E-cigarette marketing and advertising, the availability of appealing flavors, social influences, and the effects of nicotine all play a role in why youth start and/or continue to vape.
No, Australia is not 90% white; while a large majority identify with European ancestry (around 76-80% in recent years), a significant and growing portion identifies as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, or Indigenous, making it a highly multicultural nation with diverse ethnic backgrounds, not overwhelmingly white. Recent census data shows European ancestry (English, Irish, etc.) makes up a large chunk, but Asian ancestries are also substantial, with over 17% Asian population and around 3.8% identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, per the 2021 census data from Wikipedia.
Vaping is not for children and young people. Their developing lungs and brains mean they are more sensitive to its effects. Nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk-free.
Light smokers have been classified as smoking less than 1 pack/day, less than 15 cig/day, less than 10 cig/day, and smoking 1–39 cig/week (9, 14).
These 10K puff devices use dual-pod technology or larger refill containers and lower ohm coils to deliver approximately 10000 puffs per pack. Leading models include the Titan X Vape Kit, IVG Pro 12, IVG Smart Max, and Elf Bar 10k dual. Each 10k vape provides 5-15 days of use from a single refill pack.
Yes, your lungs can begin to heal from vaping as soon as you quit, with inflammation decreasing and lung function improving over weeks and months, but the extent of recovery depends on the damage; some severe, permanent scarring can occur, but quitting allows the body to start repairing damage, though some chronic issues like COPD might persist. The lungs are self-cleaning, but removing irritants like vape aerosols allows them to start repairing, with significant improvements seen in lung capacity and reduced symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath over time.
Cycling through multiple 600-puff disposable vapes a day, for example, can lead to heightened nicotine levels and potential health risks. Keeping the number of puffs you draw under 600 per day is a good rule of thumb.
Vaping is the act of inhaling an aerosol (not water vapor) created by an electronic cigarette or vape. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be hard to identify. Many look like a writing pen, highlighter, USB, or other everyday items.
“Vape tongue” or “vaper's tongue” is a condition associated with e-cigarette use that causes individuals to lose their sense of taste. The condition is temporary, but users should stop or decrease e-cigarette use to regain taste function.
In most cases, it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to buy or use vapes. Vaping can make people feel more anxious, stressed or depressed; it can also make it harder to breathe. Nicotine use can affect brain development in young people under 25 and increase their risk of future addiction.
However, early research shows that vaping, even without nicotine, is not a completely safe alternative to cigarette smoking.
The iGet brand is owned by Chinese billionaire Zhang Shengwei, and the Australian website offers individual vapes for under $10 and other “bulk” deals where a range of brands are available at a discounted price.
EFFECTS ON FERTILITY
It also negatively affects the structure and function of the sperms in men. There is a risk that Vaping causes harm to fertility and during pregnancy.