Science has shown that there are many factors that drive young people to vape, such as personality and peer pressure, poor mental health are factors that need to be taken into account by policy makers.
A recent study, “ Examining the Prevalence of Nicotine Vape Use and the Association with Major Depressive Episodes in Adolescents by Disability Type in 2021,” published in Addictive Behaviors, revealed that adolescents and young adults with cognitive impairment and mood disorders were more likely to vape.
Based on data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study found that 14.2% of those with cognitive impairment reported vaping nicotine in the past month compared to 9.6% of those without impairment. Similarly, a link between major depressive episodes (MDEs) and vaping in adolescents was identified.
Gilbert Gimm, lead author of the study and associate professor at the University of Mason School of Public Health, stressed the importance of additional support and early intervention for those at high risk of nicotine vaping. This has been brought up time and again by experts in the field, many of whom have called on lawmakers to address the root causes of teen vaping rather than just focusing on setting restrictions.
The importance of addressing the cause, not the effect
Discussing this point with tobacco treatment expert and researcher Dr Colin Mendelsohn earlier this year, the Australian doctor told Vaping Post that many teens turn to vaping because they find nicotine to relieve stress. “Studies have shown that kids with mental illness, low academic achievement, etc. are more likely to vape. Vaping helps relieve stress and improve mood. In this survey , 51% said they vaped to relieve anxiety. Similar findings apply to smoking.”
In fact, the latest data from Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) shows concerning trends among younger Australians, who report higher levels of mental health distress and psychological loneliness than older age groups. The report, which spans 2001 to 2021 and tracks more than 17,000 people in more than 9,000 households, also includes insights into vaping and e-cigarette use for the first time.
The report found that those aged 15-24 had the highest average mental distress score in 2021 at 42.3% compared to 18.4% in 2011. This may be partly linked to smartphone and social media use. The level of distress appears to decrease with age, however between 2007 and 2021, the rate of mental distress increased by around 51% in men and 63% in women.
Despite tougher vaping restrictions in Australia, the report shows an increase in underage vaping. In 2021, 14.1% of people aged 15 and over tried vaping products. Men were slightly more likely to vape than women, and cigarette smokers were significantly more likely to vape.
Banning is counterproductive
In other news that echoes these findings, during a recent visit to Australia, Action for Smoke-Free 2025 (ASH) New Zealand director Ben Youdan revealed that New Zealand’s Health Survey showed a significant 49% drop in adult smoking rates over the past five years, compared to Australia’s slight decline from 12.3% to 11.8% over the same period. At the same time, despite Australia’s prescription-based approach, youth vaping rates have risen to similar levels to New Zealand. Youdan finds this particularly worrying, given that the only products young people in Australia have access to are illegal products without regulatory oversight.
