The most recent research from the Cancer Council’s Generation Vape study, released last month, shows the number of young people aged 14 to 17 who vape is in decline, but also the largest proportion of ‘never-vapers’ since the study began in 2022, with 85 per cent of people aged 14 to 17 reporting they had never vaped.
The proportion of young people who have never smoked is also at its highest rate at almost 94 per cent, with fewer adolescents reporting purchasing their own vape.
Young people are more aware than ever before of the dangers of vaping, with 82 per cent recognising vapes are unsafe and 87 per cent agreeing vaping can be addictive.
According to the Generation Vape report these are promising early signs that Australia may have reached peak levels of adolescent vape use and access.
Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler agreed.
“As parents bring their kids back to school for the new school year, they can have confidence, as can teachers and young people themselves, that we have finally turn the corner on the scourge of vaping,” he said on Friday.
“This data shows the Albanese Government’s vaping reforms are working to prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.”
From July 1, 2024, the sale of all vapes other than from pharmacies was prohibited. The legislation aimed to close the 'non-nicotine vape loophole' that allowed retailers to sell mislabelled, illegal vapes and sparked the dramatic rise in young people vaping.
Between July and October last year, a prescription was required to access any vape from a pharmacy. Since October 1, all vapes have been available only as behind-the-counter sales in pharmacies only, where state and territory laws allow.
South Australia has the toughest penalties of any state or territory against the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco, due to sweeping proposed laws introduced by the Malinauskas Government in August, and the results have been hugely encouraging.
The legislation included an increase in penalties of up to $1.5 million for some breaches, a ban on vending machine sales of tobacco products in public areas and a ban on the supply of therapeutic e-cigarettes (or vapes) to any person under 18.
It’s been six months since new vaping laws banned their sale in corner stores and according to new data, rates have dropped by a third in 15 to 29-year-olds according to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) when comparing 2024 to 2023.
Suspensions relating to vaping at South Australian schools have dropped by a staggering 50 per cent.
"The uptake of vaping among young people is extremely concerning and while it is pleasing to see rates have reduced, it is critical we remain proactive in addressing this issue in the community," Marina Bowshall, CEO of Preventive Health SA said.
Efforts nationwide to ban mobile phones in schools also appear to be having the desired effect, with data showing an improvement in student behaviour.
Education Minister Jason Clare says “schools are adopting a really commonsense approach here to make sure that kids are focused in the classroom but mums and dads can get in contact with their kids if they need to”.
It’s been one year since phones have been banned or restricted in all public schools, after Education Ministers agreed to put the ban in place from Term 1, 2024. Schools are now seeing the difference.
A New South Wales survey in October last year involving almost 1000 principals, showed 87 per cent of students were less distracted in the classroom and 81 per cent had seen improved learning since the ban came in.
There was change for the better in terms of student learning, concentration, and young people are being encouraged to socialise more, according to data gathered by the state’s Department of Education.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said in October that it was clear to him that banning phones was the right decision.
He said without the distraction of mobile phones in their pockets, students had been able to focus on their learning, while building stronger relationships with their classmates.
“This is also about supporting our state’s teachers to be able to teach engaged classrooms without the distraction of social media in every student's pocket,” he said.
In South Australia, a study from August showed there had been a 63 per cent decline in critical incidents involving social media, and 54 per cent fewer behavioural issues.
“Kids are more focused in the classroom and they're having more fun in the playground,” Education Minister Jason Clare said in Auburn in Western Sydney on Saturday.
“What a lot of teachers have told me is the playgrounds are a lot noisier now than they used to be.
“Kids are doing what we used to do when we were kids and that's playing with their mates in the playground rather than looking down at their phone. That's a really good thing.”
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said the Federal Government is protecting young Australians from the harms that come with social media.
“We’ve listened to young people, parents and carers, experts and industry in developing these landmark laws to ensure they are centred on protecting young people – not isolating them.
“We will continue to act in the interests of young people and vulnerable Australians.”
The positive school behaviour results come as the Federal Government has also passed legislation last year that will deliver on its commitment to support parents and protect young people by setting a minimum age of 16 years for social media.
The new laws will come into effect no later than 12 months from December 10, 2024, allowing the necessary time for social media platforms to develop and implement required systems.
Clare said whether it be parents or teenagers, all are telling him the ban is an important step.
“In my job, I get to speak to a lot of young adults, at high schools I'll talk to people that are 16 or 17.
“They often tell me that this is a bloody good thing that we're doing, that it'll help the mental health of a lot of young people.
“It's often been pointed out to me that social media is different today than it was even two or three years ago, that the algorithm is smarter than it ever used to be and that it can force people to go down this tunnel that they can never get out of. So, that's a big and important change that's going to happen this year.”
The minimum age for accessing social media, the Government, said complements the work it is doing with states and territories to tackle bullying across the country.
Part of a national effort to deal with bullying in Australian schools, the aim is to provide children and parents confidence that no matter where their child goes to school, if they’re experiencing bullying, it will be managed in an appropriate way.
