Vaping and smoking fears fueled by fake news
Monday, 27 Jul 2026
Despite what we see on screens and the continued media speculation around vaping and smoking in Australia, there is a clear decline in the number of young people vaping and smoking.
The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) results released revealed that daily smoking rates in 2025:
- Fell to record low of 5.8% among adults aged 18 and over.
- Declined from 8.3% in 2022–23, to 5.6% for Australians aged 14 and over.
When you look at e-cigarette or vaping use:
- This fell from 20.6% in 2022–23, to 14% in 2025 among young adults aged 18–24.
- Daily vaping amongst people aged 14 and over remained stable at 3.6% – rather than continuing the steep increases seen in previous years.
What does this mean?
- “Everybody’s NOT doing it”
It’s not vaping and smoking rates we need to address, it is the misconceptions that remain, fueled by fake news and fear.
In our digital world, it’s easy for media and social media feeds to highlight the worst case scenarios – this is what attracts eyeballs and clicks. But when you look at the latest research and real-world evidence, most young people are actually making smart choices and choosing to say no to vaping and smoking. Raising awareness of this will only empower more young people to make healthy and safe decisions.
- Beware the critics
Despite warnings from critics and the tobacco industry that anti-vape measures, including Australia’s world-leading legislation, will only lead to a resurgence of smoking, research does not support these claims. In fact, the NDSHS results note no rise at all.
- We should remain cautious
While it is promising to see the decline in vaping and smoking, it is important to note that other products are emerging that could put children and young people at-risk of nicotine addiction, like nicotine pouches.
However, like vaping and smoking trends, by seeking out evidence-based information from credible sources, we can make informed decisions. You can’t believe everything you see on screens and online!
- Education matters
Education is a powerful tool to bridge the gap between perception and reality. That is why we must continue to support regulation and enforcement efforts with evidence-based education, like Life Ed’s Take a Breath module.
The first vaping prevention education experience in Australia for primary school students, Take a Breath features children in Year 5 and 6 who have genuine questions about vaping and smoking, alongside high school students who provide answers. The teenagers involved encourage their peers to use critical thinking skills to unpack issues like emerging health and environmental impacts, changing laws, social influences and responsible decision making.
The result is powerful in that Australian teenagers are speaking up about vaping and smoking, showcasing their strengths, to educate their younger peers.
Learn more about how this Australian-first, youth-led initiative has made an impact to more than 60,000 Year 5 and 6 students across the country since its 2024 launch.
Watch our presentation at the Vaping and Beyond: Tackling Nicotine Use Among Young People Symposium, hosted by Cancer Council WA:
