Harmful habit a ‘public health crisis’ for young Australians

A federal government review has labelled e-cigarettes a “public health crisis” which is creating a new generation of smokers.

The three-year study by the Australian National University on behalf of the government found vaping is especially harmful for young people who face heightened risk of addiction, poisoning and lung injury.

Professor of public health at Australian National University, Emily Banks, says about five per cent of school students and people aged 18-24 report that they’re currently vaping.

“We are hearing about reports at primary school, and often these products are really being targeted at children. There’s over 1600 flavours and they’re often flavours that appeal to children like fairy floss and bubblegum,” she told Stephen Quartermain and Emily Power, filling in for Ross and Russel.

“We’re also finding that these small pod-like devices … can have as much nicotine in them as 10 to 15 conventional cigarette packets.”

Professor Banks says while vaping is dangerous to non-smokers and young people, it can help some smokers to give up the habit.

“It’s illegal to be using nicotine e-cigarettes that are not on prescription, but for people who’ve been trying to quit smoking and have not been able to do that, they can go to a doctor and get a prescription,” she said.

“Smoking is Australia’s deadliest habit and up to two thirds of all smokers will die from a smoking related illness if they don’t quit.

“The time really has come to clamp down on it.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the harms associated with vaping