Alarming Rise in Vaping Among Teens in Australia, Social Media and Peer Pressure to Blame

A recent study conducted by Giang Vu, a PhD student at the University of Queensland, found that teens with friends who vape are 15 times more likely to adopt the habit themselves.

The research highlights that while societal disapproval of vaping has increased from 55.4% in 2015 to 77.5% in 2020, leading to a slight decline in usage rates, social media continues to portray vaping as “cool” and “healthier than smoking,” posing a serious threat to young people.

Gary Chung Kai Chan, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the dangers of this messaging, stating, “Portraying vaping as a trendy and healthy lifestyle is an extremely dangerous message for young people.” He called for stricter regulation of social media content and targeted awareness campaigns to combat the issue.

The study, published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal, also found that parental disapproval has a strong protective effect, reducing the likelihood of teens vaping by approximately 70%.

However, another study paints an even more alarming picture. Research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found an increase in the use of THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids through vaping among adolescents, with some users as young as 12 years old. The study also revealed that vaping is more prevalent among girls than boys.

One of the most concerning findings is that a significant number of teens are unaware of what they are consuming. In 2021, 1.8% of teens did not know what they were vaping, but this figure rose to 4.7% in 2023.

Experts warn of the hidden dangers of vaping, including lung damage, cardiovascular issues, and exposure to toxic chemicals like acrolein. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to addiction and long-term health problems due to their developing bodies and brains. According to Chung, these substances can even be fatal.