Murdoch University Psychology Professor Charles Young says that what may appear as just an act of rebellion or passing fad holds deeper meaning in a vulnerable time for teenagers.
“Many young people are particularly sensitive to social approval and peer norms, and behaviours like vaping can communicate status and belonging in some social circles,” the clinical and counselling psychologist says.
“When a behaviour becomes common within a peer group, it can quickly become a social norm.”
Schools are also noticing the shift, with anti-vaping toolkits and teaching resources emerging to address the developing risks.
In Victoria, Monash University researchers in collaboration with QUIT Victoria have produced a set of resources called ‘Seeing through the haze’ to help teachers educate their students about vaping.
The resource supports teachers to develop a series of learning activities that build young people’s health literacy including critical thinking skills.
A NSW Health Vaping Toolkit: includes a suite of resources for teachers and health professionals to address nicotine dependence and withdrawal.
That toolkit provides a suite of evidence-based resources for young people, parents and carers, teachers and health professionals to provide information on the harms of vaping, nicotine dependence, signs of withdrawal, coping strategies, and practical tips to quit vaping.
For Queensland students, and others across the country, Blurred Minds Academy is an online education portal designed to make teachers’ lives easier.
The academy helps engage students with relevant and meaningful education to change their beliefs and behaviours for the better and the resource includes 14 curriculum mapped modules, assessments, marking rubrics and slides.
Young, who is academic chair of the postgraduate courses in Professional and Clinical Psychology at Murdoch, says peer pressure combined with the elements of risk and adult disapproval, made the trend even more enticing during formative years.
“Early adopters may be drawn to the sense of transgression or independence it signals, but as more people participate, the behaviour can become a marker of group identity.”
Further to this, Young says health warnings and horror stories had ‘limited impact on young people’, because ‘the risks feel distant and abstract’.
“Messages that rely heavily on fear can also lose credibility if they appear exaggerated or disconnected from what young people observe around them.
If most people in their social environment appear to vape without obvious consequence, strongly alarmist messaging may not ring true.”
The WA Government has recently handed down its toughest vaping laws to-date, with at least six stores across the state being issued closure orders since the legislation came into effect on May 13.
Young says that while health warnings remained important, new laws and tougher penalties for illegal vape sellers can play a key role as part of a broader public health response.
“Stronger regulation may also change the market in other ways,” Young says.
“There may be fewer suppliers willing to sell illegal products, and those who do may charge higher prices to offset the increased risk.
“If that occurs, the higher cost could reduce demand, particularly among young people for whom price is an important factor.”
Young says that ultimately, consistent and visible enforcement of these regulations is paramount to their effectiveness.
“Deterrence depends heavily on the perceived likelihood of detection and enforcement.
“If inspections are infrequent or penalties are inconsistently applied, some retailers may judge the risk to be manageable.
“The effect will depend largely on whether enforcement is visible and consistent.”
