Turning the tide on teen vaping in NSW: Over one year on since the new vaping reforms

New findings from the Generation Vape research project show that Australia’s strong and
comprehensive approach to vaping control are having an impact, with survey results indicating
fewer teenagers across NSW are taking up vaping just one year on from the reforms coming into
effect. The Wave 9 Generation Vape short report reveals that the number of NSW teens who
have ever tried vaping has declined from 29.6% in April 2024 to 20.1% in October 2025, a
relative drop of 32% in just 18 months.

“These results are a big win for young people’s health,” says Professor Sarah Hosking, Chief
Executive Officer at Cancer Council NSW. “We commend NSW Government efforts to support
young people to quit vaping and prevent them from taking it up in the first place with strong
laws, public education campaigns and support tools like the Pave quit vaping app.

“The pharmacy-only model, combined with education campaigns and quit support, is helping to
turn the tide on teen vaping in NSW. But we need to keep up strong and consistent enforcement
efforts to make sure illegal sales don’t undo this progress.”

The Generation Vape Wave 9 report shows that 20.1% of teenage survey respondents in NSW
reported having never tried vaping in October 2025, compared to 29.6% in April 2024. “It is very
encouraging that teen vaping rates in NSW are heading in the right direction but continued
focus on active enforcement and funding high-profile anti-vaping campaigns will be key to
keeping this momentum going,” explains Professor Becky Freeman, Chief Investigator of the
Generation Vape project at the University of Sydney.

Key findings in the Wave 9 Generation Vape report include:

• Most NSW teens have never vaped – 88.2% reported little (only had a few puffs) or no
  experience with vapes.
• Heavy vaping is declining – those who vaped 100+ times dropped from 6.4% to 2.6%.
• Social norms are shifting – teens are less likely to think vaping is common among their
  peers.
• Health awareness is strong – most teens agree vaping is unsafe and addictive.
  

These findings come as the NSW Government announces they have committed to continuing to
fund the Generation Vape research project.

“While vaping rates are falling, our findings warn that access is still too easy for many teens.
Stronger enforcement of pharmacy-only sales and new tobacco retail licensing laws will be
critical to further reducing vaping and preventing nicotine pouch use, which remains low but
could rise quickly without action.” Concludes Prof. Hosking.

Media Contact: Claudia Bernardi | PR & Communications Specialist | Cancer Council NSW
Phone: 0422 571 005
Email: [email protected]

Spokespeople:
Professor Sarah Hosking | Chief Executive Officer | Cancer Council NSW

Professor Becky Freeman | Chief Investigator of the Generation Vape project | University of
Sydney

Anita Dessaix | Co-author of Generation Vape project and Director of Cancer Prevention and
Advocacy | Cancer Council NSW

Support:
If you or your child use vapes, speak to your healthcare professional, call the Quitline on 13
7848 for advice and support tailored to you, visit the iCanQuit website or download the Pave
quit vaping app.

If this story raises any concerns for you, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20

About Generation Vape
Generation Vape is an ongoing national study into adolescent and young adult vaping and
smoking, led by Cancer Council NSW in partnership with the Daffodil Centre and the University
of Sydney. The project aims to provide evidence to inform public health policy and prevent the
uptake of new addictive nicotine products among young peopl