Vaping has surged among young Australians in recent years, especially adolescents in their early teens. Adolescence is also when many mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety begin to emerge. While previous research, mostly from the US, has suggested a link between vaping and mental health problems in adolescents, there’s less information specific to Australia.
A new study from the Matilda Centre at the University of Sydney explored this connection, focusing on the mental health impacts of e-cigarette use in young Australians.
The researchers conducted a large-scale survey involving more than 5000 students from Year 7 and 8 across 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. They completed an online survey between May and October 2023. The survey collected information on vape use and several mental health indicators, including depression, anxiety, stress and overall wellbeing.
The study found those who reported severe depressive symptoms were over twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes, compared to those reporting no depressive symptoms.
Data showed overall higher e-cigarette use among those with poorer mental health, including severe depressive symptoms, moderate and high stress, and low wellbeing.
The findings show a critical need for effective mental health support at the same time as vaping prevention during early adolescence, when these issues first emerge.
While the study can’t establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the authors say it brings home the need for prevention strategies that address both mental health and vaping in adolescents.
According to Dr Lauren Gardner from the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre, more research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping.
“These findings highlight the urgent need for prevention and early intervention approaches, backed by evidence, to support both the short and long-term health and wellbeing of young people.”
The Matilda Centre previously found the average age a teenager begins to vape is 14. Other research (independent of the University of Sydney) has found vaping rates among 12 to 15- year-olds increasing from 10 percent to 24 percent between 2017 to 2023.
Further information
E-cigarette use and mental health during early adolescence – An Australian survey among over 5000 young people: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
