Youth Vaping Rates Remain High Despite Decline
Though youth vaping rates have slightly declined nationwide, its prevalence remains high by international standards. The ASH Year 10 Snapshot surveys 20,000 to 30,000 students every year. It’s one of the largest independent youth smoking and vaping surveys in the world.
Experts Weigh In on Vaping Trends
“We are pleased to see a third consecutive year of decline in regular vaping by Year 10 students,” survey director Ben Youdan says.
“This year-on-year decline follows a period between 2015 and 2020 when there was a rapid increase in youth vaping. During this time, there were no laws regulating vapes. However, this trend appears to be reversing since new laws were put into place.
“Vaping is absolutely not for young people or never smokers and is certainly not risk-free. The good news is that youth vaping appears to be declining, but we still need to put much more into prevention and supporting young vapers to quit if we want to undo the rapid rise that happened in the absence of any meaningful regulation prior to 2021.”
New Zealand’s Vaping Rates Compared Internationally
Research from the University of Otago analysing vaping trends found that though fewer New Zealand students vape, rates are still higher than in England, Canada, and the United States.
Lead author Dr Jude Ball says these findings show that New Zealand has a long way to go to protect young people from nicotine addiction.
She says despite the slight declines in overall vaping, daily vaping among Year 10 students (14-15 years old) in New Zealand remains at 9%, with over 6,000 Year 10 students vaping every day last year.
Māori and Pasifika Youth Disproportionately Affected
The data shows Māori and Pasifika youth are disproportionately affected. Per the survey, “more than one in five Māori students vape daily, with Māori girls having the highest rates (25%). Pasifika students also have elevated daily vaping rates.”
Upcoming Vape Restrictions in New Zealand
From June 17, disposable vapes that are not designed or intended to be reused will be banned. Dr Jude Ball welcomes the ban on the distribution, manufacture, sale, and supply of disposable vaping devices.
Per the Ministry of Health, it is prohibited under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to encourage the use, promote the sale, or notify the availability of notifiable products or promote smoking or vaping behaviour.
Stricter Display and Advertising Regulations
Starting on June 17, this will also apply to specialist vape retailers when communicating with their existing customers.
General retailers will also no longer be able to display vaping devices, products, or packaging.
Specialist vape retailers must not display these products in a way that makes them visible from outside their stores.
This includes advertising and display in online stores and displays in automated vending machines.
Call for Better Youth Cessation Support
Dr Ball adds that while new restrictions may prevent future vaping uptake, there is little support available for young people already addicted to nicotine and that youth-focused cessation services are urgently needed.
She says nicotine vaping may help some people stop smoking, but evidence is accumulating about the harm that vaping can cause young people.
“Vaping is linked to serious health risks, including respiratory, cardiovascular, oral and mental health issues, particularly for young people.
“Meanwhile, we also need stronger tobacco controls to prevent young people from switching from vaping to smoking. The Government must implement stricter controls on tobacco availability,” she says.
