Vaping in Youth

The latest results from the Youth19 survey showed that 38% of young people aged 13-18 years old in the Northland, Auckland and Waikato regions have tried vaping, 10% vaped at least once a month and about 6% vaped weekly or more often. This study also found that nearly two-thirds (65%) of those who tried vaping and about half (48%) of monthly vapers had never smoked cigarettes. This is consistent responses from the GoodSpace Schools wellbeing survey where on average 9% of students have disclosed vaping, a significant proportion of whom are daily vapers. 

Responses from the Hā Collective Vaping Survey notes that youth vaping needs to be seen in context – recognising the major challenges faced by young people today, including high levels of stress and mental health issues. For many young people, vaping is a response to – and an attempt to cope with – the very real pressures of the worlds they live in. Many young people are using vaping as a mental health regulator, or a means by which to ‘get through the day’. Some young people indicated that vaping seems like a preferable, less harmful option to other coping mechanisms or forms of risk-taking they could be engaging in – like using alcohol or other drugs, or self-harming. 

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The Ministry of Health has recently launched a campaign focused on youth - Protect Your Breath with the Vaping Facts site providing information about vaping and smoking in New Zealand, and is for people who are looking to quit smoking and those who support them, as well as anyone interested in the role of vaping in New Zealand as a way to quit.