Vaping in Australia
Key Statistics
All age groups
The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) has found increasing rates of vaping in Australia.
- In 2022–23, 1 in 5 (19.8%) people aged 14 and over reported using an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime.
- People 14 and over who reported vaping in the past year increased from 2.5% in 2019 to 7% in 2022-2023.1
Young people (18-24 years of age)
- Use of vapes in the past year increased from 5.3% in 2019, to 21% in 2022-23.
- Almost 1 in 10 18 to 24 year olds reported vaping daily 2022-2023.1
Teens (14-17)
- Teen use in the past year increased significantly - from 1.8% in 2019, to 9.7% in 2022-23.
- 3.5% reported vaping daily in 2022-23.1
And use in this age bracket is higher for females.
- Reported past year use was 13.5% for girls, compared to 7.1% for boys.
- Daily use was 5.7% of girls, compared to 1.8% of boys.1
An Australian schools survey also found vaping had increased.
- 12.9% of teens aged between 12-15 had vaped in the last month.
- 22.1% of 16-17 years old had vaped in the last month.2
![Vape cloud](https://cdn.adf.org.au/media/images/vape2.width-1524.jpg)
What’s happening in Australia
In response to growing concern around young people vaping, the Australian Government has changed how vapes are regulated. Changes as of March 2024 include:
- a ban on the importation of all vapes (with and without nicotine, and including rechargeable devices) without an import licence and permit
- specific product requirements for imported vapes, with flavours limited to mint, menthol or tobacco.3,4
Some therapeutic (legal) vapes are allowed. These are vapes for someone quitting smoking, or managing a nicotine dependence (addiction).4
Therapeutic vapes require a prescription until October 1, 2024. After that, they can be bought from pharmacies by anyone 18 and over, without a prescription.5
To find out more about these changes visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s vaping hub or the Government’s vaping webpage.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023. 2024 [29.02.2024].
- Scully M, Bain E, Koh I, Wakefield M, Durkin S, Cancer Council Victoria. ASSAD 2022/2023: Australian secondary school students’ use of tobacco and e-cigarettes 2023 [20.02.2024].
- Gartner C. Will the latest vaping reforms find the right balance and what will they mean for recreational vapers? The University of Queensland [Internet]. 2023 [24.01.2024].
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). New regulation of vapes starting January 2024. 2023 [24.01.2024].
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Changes to the regulation of vapes 2024 [08.07.2024].