The Number Of Victorian Adults Vaping Has Doubled Despite Them Being Illegal

New data from Vic Health has revealed that almost double the number of Victorian adults are vaping in 2022 compared to 2018-2019 despite the devices being banned across Australia.

The data shows that in 2022 an estimated 308,827 adults are vaping compared to an estimated 154,895 adults in 2018-19.

54% of e-cigarette users are between the ages of 18-30, with nearly a quarter of all current vape users having never smoked. 

The findings have led to fresh calls for urgent government action to set a higher standard and to hold the nicotine industry accountable. 

Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper stated, “Despite it being illegal to sell, possess or use liquids containing nicotine in an e-cigarette, our data shows bricks and mortar stores like tobacconists, vape stores, and milkbars are selling these harmful products to more than 7 in 10 (73%) users who vape nicotine.

"We know that the e-cigarette availability problem is magnified when it comes to children; many as young as 12 and 13 years old. The trends are worrying, and immediate action must be taken to prevent retailers from doing the wrong thing.

"Cancer Council Victoria, Quit Victoria and VicHealth are calling on all parties ahead of the election to commit to the introduction of retail licencing to ensure they know exactly who is selling e-cigarette products to enforce the illegal sale of e-cigarette products."

Quit director Dr Sarah White said that, "We have an estimated 77,200 never smokers reporting they are currently using e-cigarettes, and more than half of past year e-cigarette users are vaping nicotine. At a time when, as a society, we are trying to reduce preventable ill-health, this is a slow-motion train wreck for Victoria.”

CEO of VicHealth Dr Sandro Demaio is concerned about the impending health impacts of vaping stating that, "E-cigarettes present a very real danger to our community – especially for children and young adults,

"We know a lot of the same chemicals and carcinogens in tobacco processing are contained in e-cigarette liquids.”

In response to the new news Cancer Council Victoria, Quit and VicHealth are calling for the Victorian Government to introduce a retail licensing scheme that will identify, deter and, if necessary, penalise retailers breaking the law by selling harmful e-cigarette products to minors and adults; The federal government to do more to stop unlawful e-cigarette imports.