[Smoking, credit to Pixabay]

After Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer revealed data indicating an unprecedented steep increase in the smoking rate among 14 to 17-year-old Australians, the Australian Government is busy preparing normative alternatives. 

Data analyzed by CBRC has revealed a three-times increase from 2.1% in 2018 to 6.7% in 2022 in the population of 14 to 17-year-olds smoking tobacco in the past four years.

The research also revealed an increase in e-cigarettes, also popularly known as “vaping”. 

Fewer than 1% of 14 to 17-year-olds reported vaping in 2018, but that all changed when in 2022 as 11.8% and in 2023 as 14.5%.

Sarah Durkin, acting head of the CBRC and the lead researcher on the report said, “It’s alarming.. “This is the first time we’ve seen an increase in teenagers smoking since the early- to mid-1990s.”

“The earlier a person starts smoking and interacting with cigarettes, the greater their likelihood of becoming a regular, long-term user.”

“The pattern is really consistent with cohort studies that track young people over time, and the research shows that those who vape are three times as likely to smoke later.”

The percentage of 14 to 17-year-olds who smoke and vape has increased from 0.3% in 2018 to 4.4% in 2022.

Emily Banks, a public health physician from the Australian National University added, “Any level of smoking among young people is extremely concerning.”

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, young people start smoking for several reasons, including stress, and peer pressure, which is not so much different from adults’ reasons.

However, DHAC warns many studies show young people get addicted to nicotine much faster than adults, which leads to a substantially increased risk of lung cancer, asthma, using alcohol and drugs, reducing physical fitness, as well as developing heart disease and dental problems.

A spokesperson for DHAC also said the findings were “a concern”.

“These data have shown the importance of government action to reduce smoking and cut off vaping – particularly among young Australians from 14 to 17 – through stronger laws, enforcement, education and support,” the spokesperson said.

In an effort to address this health concern, the Australian Government seems to be responding quickly.

Minister of DHAC Mark Butler announced an order of changes to Australia’s tobacco laws aimed at targeting alarming rates of teenagers’ smoking and daily smokers.

Warnings on individual cigarettes, health inserts inside packs and the banning of flavors in vapes and other items are among the new “world-leading” changes proposed by the Federal Government.

Butler said he hopes the proposed laws - about 300 pages long - will be introduced and accepted to the Australian parliament later this year and be included into law by April 2024.

He said the changes are primarily aimed at driving down soaring vaping rates among the nation’s youth while tackling the 12 per cent of Australians who still smoke daily.

In Australia today, the legislation and the Government of Australia are taking active action and planning for more actions to reduce smoking rates. 

Will these efforts to reduce smoking rates for 14 to 17-year-old Australians really be effective?