Helping young people to quit vaping

Vaping has increased among young Australians in recent years, with 30% of secondary school students reporting they had tried vaping at least once in 2022-23.¹

In 2024, the Australian Government introduced new vaping regulations which aim to reduce access to non-therapeutic vapes, particularly by young people.^{2, 3}

While the long term impacts of vaping are still unknown, we do know that vaping can increase the risk of certain health harms, such as nicotine dependence.⁴

This page explores why some young people might vape and how to support young people to quit vaping - including available support services, tools and resources.

What is vaping?

Vaping refers to the use of an e-cigarette that heats liquids and produces an aerosol, which is then inhaled, mimicking the act of smoking.

Vapes generally contain a mixture of solvents, chemicals and flavourings/sweeteners.⁵

And most vapes in Australia contain nicotine (the main psychoactive drug in tobacco) – even if it doesn’t say so on the packet/device.³

In 2024, new national regulations for vapes were introduced which:

• banned the importation and sale of all non-therapeutic (illegal) vapes and disposable vapes (devices that can’t be recharged or reused), including those with or without nicotine
• allowed and regulated the sale of therapeutic (legal) vapes at pharmacies.²

Rules around youth access to therapeutic vapes vary by state and territory, visit our page on vaping regulation to find out more.

What are the risks of vaping?

Vapes can pose a risk to our health.

We know that vaping can increase the risk of certain health harms, including:

• Injuries and burns – caused by a faulty vape battery/device exploding in someone’s pocket or while they’re using it. ^{6, 7}
• Lung disease and injury - known as EVALI (‘e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury’). Most cases have been linked to THC vapes which contain vitamin E acetate (an oily chemical), and some have been reported from nicotine vapes.^{6, 8, 9 5}
• Tobacco smoking - young people who vape are around three times more likely to try cigarettes or start smoking.^{6, 10, 11}
• Dependence - nicotine is addictive. Over time, regular use of nicotine vapes can lead to dependence.⁴

Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?

Tobacco is responsible for most of the harmful chemicals and carcinogens (cancer causing components) in cigarettes.^{5, 12}

Smoking tobacco carries a high risk of cancer, heart disease, respiratory issues, and other health problems.⁵

Vaping produces fewer chemicals, and is generally considered less harmful than smoking – but it isn’t risk-free.⁵

In the short to medium term, it’s likely that using therapeutic vapes poses a much smaller risk to health than smoking tobacco. But it’s too soon to know what the long-term health impacts of e-cigarettes might be.^{5, 8}

Why do some young people vape?

Young people use drugs, including nicotine, for a variety of reasons - and not all use leads to dependence (addiction).

Young people might use alcohol and other drugs – including vapes - to:

• experiment
• feel good
• fit in
• relax
• cope with feelings of stress or anxiety.^{13, 14}

In a recent survey of 14-17 year olds in Australia, almost half (45%) said they first tried vapes our of ‘curiosity’.¹⁵

Experimentation and risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development.

It can help teenagers develop their identity, gain experience, and seek peer approval.¹⁶

Why can it be difficult to quit vaping?

Nicotine is highly addictive.

Over time, repeated use causes changes in how the brain releases dopamine, which can affect things like mood, stress and attention. Tolerance also builds – meaning someone may need more nicotine to get the same effect.4

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms

When someone who is dependent on nicotine stops using it, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, including:

• irritability
• cravings
• difficulty concentrating
• sleep problems
• feeling anxious, sad or depressed.⁴

These symptoms are usually strongest in the first few days after stopping and gradually decline in the weeks following.¹⁷

Supporting young people to quit

If your young person is vaping, start by having an open conversation with them about the risks and impacts.

Try to:

• stick to the facts and avoid judgment or assumptions
• remind them that you care about them and are concerned about their health
• encourage them to reconsider the idea that ‘everyone’ is doing it, as research shows this isn’t the case.¹⁸

Visit ADF’s Talk About It guide for parents and carers for more tips and advice.

Approaches to quitting vaping

There’s currently limited evidence on the most effective ways to quit vaping.^{19, 20}

Some studies suggest digital tools, such as text message services or apps, may help young people quit.^{19, 20}

While other research shows that evidence-based approaches to quitting smoking, including behavioral support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), might also be effective for quitting vaping.^{19, 21, 22}

Other quit smoking strategies (see information below) might also be helpful, given both smoking and vaping involve nicotine dependence.²⁰

Quitting strategies and tips

Creating a personalised quit plan and accessing the right support can increase the chance of success.²³

If your young person wants to quit, or has tried but found it difficult – there are strategies that can help.

The below tips have been adapted from Quit, for more Quit resources visit their website:

• Your quit vaping plan
• Quitting tips and tactics
• Helping someone I know quit

Plan ahead

• Identify why they want to quit: having a good reason for quitting can help keep someone motivated. Work out their reasons for quitting, such as the health risks, saving money or not wanting to be/become addicted.^{20, 23}
• Work out why they vape:
  • If your young person vapes to cope with stress, help them identify some alternative strategies, such as going for a walk, listening to music, using a meditation app, or connecting with a supportive friend. If they’re experiencing mental ill health, see the help and support services listed at the bottom of this page.
  • Think about situations or environments they might find triggering, such as a place or time they most frequently vape. Talk about how they can avoid these triggers or use another coping strategy for when they arise.²³
• Think about the timing: setting a quit date can help. The day before a big exam may not be the best time to do so, as their stress levels are already high. But try not to delay too long, as it can become harder the longer someone is using nicotine.
• Reducing or quitting suddenly: work out if your young person wants to try reducing vaping gradually or quit ‘cold turkey’. Cutting down may be helpful if stopping suddenly sounds too overwhelming, or if they’ve tried but haven’t been successful. Setting a quit date soon after starting to cut down and making a quit plan can be helpful.^24-26
• Refusing vapes from others: if their friends vape, talk about how they can say ‘no’ if offered a vape. If they feel uncomfortable telling friends they’ve quit, having prepared excuses can help, such as: ‘I don’t like it anymore’, ‘it gives me a headache’ or ‘I don’t want to waste my money’.
• Plan rewards: celebrating progress can help keep your young person motivated - plan small rewards along the way, such as when they reach a week or month without vaping.²³
• Talk to the experts: book an appointment with a GP to get their advice and support, or call Quitline on 13 78 48 for expert advice on how to quit.
• Check out Quit resources: such as the My QuitBuddy app which provides tips to overcome cravings and tracking systems to chart progress, or the webpages listed above.

Managing cravings:

• Nicotine withdrawal can involve intense cravings, but there are ways to overcome them. Plan what they can do when they feel a craving, this might include things like:
  • reminding themselves why they quit, and that the craving will soon pass (usually in a few minutes)
  • distracting their brain by engaging in a hobby, getting some exercise or talking to a friend
  • chewing gum, or eating a healthy snack
  • using a stress ball, toy or pen to distract their hands.
• Consider Nicotine Replacement Therapy if cravings are too intense:
  • NRT can help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It comes as chewing gum, mints, spray or patches, and is available at pharmacies and supermarkets.
  • Note - it’s strongly recommended that children aged 12 to 17 years speak to their doctor about NRT before using it.20

Prepare for lapses

• Even if their goal is to quit, lapses are very common and not a failure. Have a plan in place for what to do if they do vape, such as someone to call for support, including Quitline.
• If they do lapse, try to be understanding and get them back on track by encouraging them and reminding them why they want to quit and talking about how you can revise your quitting strategy.

What if they don’t want to quit?

If your young person isn’t open to stopping vaping, or insists they aren’t/won’t become addicted, you can:

• Remind them of the facts in a calm way.
• Let them know that you care about them and are coming from a place of concern. Talk to them about reducing their vaping in the meantime, if they aren’t ready to stop completely.
• Set and maintain rules and boundaries around vaping and let them know your expectations.
• Try to avoid searching their room or belongings as this can erode trust between child and parent/carer.
• Let them know that when they’re ready to quit or want to talk, you’ll be there for them.

Accessing therapeutic vapes

If they’re using non-therapeutic (disposable, illegal vapes), suggest they switch to a therapeutic vape. Because therapeutic vapes are regulated, we know what’s in them – which can reduce the risk of some vaping-related harms.

Visit our page on vaping regulations or the TGA website for more information about accessing therapeutic vapes.

Help and resources

• Quit (13 78 48) has a range of resources – including making a quit plan, quitting tips and tactics and resources and factsheets for parents. While some of these are designed for people quitting smoking, they can also be used to help quit vaping.
• Visit Raising Children’s list of helplines for parenting advice or support.
• Find out more via Positive Choices fact page, Dovetail’s vaping resources or on the ADF website: Vaping and young people
• headspace provides expert support for mental ill health and physical health for young people and their families across Australia. Click through to their website to find the headspace centre closest to you. headspace also provides online and phone support.
• Nicotine Knockout @ The Junction is a free program for young people aged 24 and under in the ACT seeking support to quit vaping, smoking or to manage their nicotine dependence. The program offers evidence-based, confidential and non-judgemental support. Phone: 02 6232 2423