A significant shift in vaping habits among New Zealand's youth was observed in a recent survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), indicating a significant decline in the prevalence of vaping among students, 1News reports.
The survey shows that 10 students found a substantial decrease in regular vaping habits, dropping from 18.2% to 16.4% between 2022 and 2023.
Man vaping an e-cigarette
Vape Smoking Among Youth Drops
This decline signifies a pivotal turn, reflecting a departure from the escalating trend observed in previous years. Youth daily vaping rates have plateaued at 10%, while the number of individuals experimenting with vaping has decreased from 40.1% to 37.5% within the same period.
Ben Youdan, director of ASH, expressed encouragement at these results, attributing the positive trend to regulatory measures implemented in recent years.
However, he stressed the necessity of sustained efforts, acknowledging that while progress is evident, reducing the prevalence of youth vaping is imperative.
"Although the rate of youth vaping remains higher than desired, it's heartening to witness fewer young individuals engaging in vaping and experimentation with vapes," Youdan remarked.
Declining Smoker Trends
ASH's satisfaction extended to the realm of smoking trends, with only 1.2% of surveyed individuals reporting daily cigarette smoking. Moreover, the number of non-smokers has surged to 87.8%, showcasing a reassuring rejection of tobacco products among New Zealand's youth.
The survey highlighted noteworthy trends within the Māori community as well. A surge was noted in the percentage of Māori individuals who have never smoked, now standing at 77.7%, marking a 4% increase. However, concerning statistics surfaced as Māori girls were found to vape at a rate 2.5 times higher than their peers.
Fay Selby-Law, ASH board member and head of the Māori SUDI prevention service emphasized the need for increased efforts to prevent vaping among Māori youth.
"While vapes have assisted many adults in smoking cessation, there's an urgent need to keep them out of the hands of young individuals," Selby-Law remarked.
The survey's implications have sparked a broader conversation regarding vaping regulations and their impact on youth.
In a related development, The Guardian reports alarming statistics from Australia, where over a third of young adults are using e-cigarettes. The Cancer Council's Generation Vape study shows that the easy accessibility of vapes is contributing to a misconception about their harmlessness, raising concerns among public health experts.
Implementing More Restrictions on Vape
In the UK, Public Health Wales (PHW) advocated for stringent measures mirroring tobacco restrictions, advocating for plain packaging and the removal of displays in shops, BBC reports.
The alarmingly rising trend of vaping among young adults and the ease of access to vape products has prompted discussions regarding further regulations and enforcement.
The UK government, in response to a surge in youth vaping, conducted consultations on potential measures to curb its appeal and availability.
Dr. Julie Bishop, PHW's director of health improvement, stressed the need for stringent actions, advocating for standardized packaging and limited display of vape products, drawing parallels to the successful approaches adopted for tobacco products.
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