GPs have an important role in anti-vaping measures, according to Curtin University public health experts Dr Jonine Jancey and Dr Renee Carey.
The Federal Government recently announced the nationwide rollout of a school-based vaping prevention initiative, OurFutures, which aims to curb youth vaping.
Developed by experts at the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, this program combines input from educators and students to deliver evidence-based prevention strategies.
For GPs, the rising prevalence of vaping, particularly among young people, is impossible to ignore. A 2022-23 survey of Australian high school students revealed nearly one in three had tried vaping, with one in six reporting use in the past month. These figures reflect a concerning trend, with vaping rates more than doubling since 2017.
Health risks of vaping
Evidence linking vaping to adverse health outcomes continues to grow. A 2022 review identified risks such as nicotine addiction (particularly among youth), poisoning, lung injuries, burns, and an increased likelihood of transitioning to tobacco smoking. Vapes often contain carcinogenic chemicals, including formaldehyde and heavy metals like nickel and lead. Inhalation exposes users to substances found in products such as nail polish remover and weed killer.
This 2022 review also found that there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid in the clinical setting. While e-cigarettes may be helpful to some in their quit attempts, there is uncertainty about the overall balance of risks and benefits. A recent study published in BMC Medicine also found an increasing prevalence of e-cigarette use in ex-smokers, with many continuing to vape long-term.
While the long-term health effects remain uncertain, current evidence underscores the importance of preventing e-cigarette uptake, particularly among young people.
OurFutures program
This school-based program will target students in Years 7 and 8 – a pivotal period when many begin experimenting with vapes – across more than 3000 schools. Delivered through four online lessons, it educates students about the harms of vaping, the influence of social media and strategies for seeking help.
Early trials across 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia have shown promising results, with participants demonstrating improved knowledge and reduced intentions to vape.
This program is timely and a good start, as young people have told us they want vaping prevention messages in their schools to help them make informed decisions. These young people recognise that there’s a lack of credible information available. Equally, school professionals, such as principals and teachers, recognise they are unable to deal with the issue of vaping among students on their own, and have been calling for support.
Beyond education
However, education programs like OurFutures are just one strategy. Young people operate in communities and are influenced by peers, family, social norms and societal structures. There needs to be a range of robust actions to stop exposure and access to vapes.
Recently we have seen the introduction of world-leading reforms that include Federal laws to stop the importation of vapes, only selling vapes in pharmacies to those aged 18 years and over, and limiting flavours (mint, menthol and tobacco). The WA Government is extending these laws by only permitting vapes to be supplied by pharmacies to adults with a medical prescription.
For GPs, these regulatory changes impact clinical practice. GPs may encounter this issue in various clinical contexts. Parents may seek advice on protecting their teenagers from vaping harms, while other patients may inquire about using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, or they may present with health complications potentially linked to vaping.
The RACGP’s Supporting smoking & vaping cessation: A guide for health professionals outlines reforms to vaping regulations and vaping cessation, including assessing risks, prescribing cessation aids, and providing counselling. As vaping has increasingly become a more common topic in consultations, staying updated with these guidelines is important.
Practical takeaways
Educate patients: Discuss the risks of vaping with patients, particularly young people and parents, and make them aware of education resources such as OurFutures.
Support cessation: Use evidence-based tools to help patients in quitting vaping or smoking.
Stay informed: Keep up with evolving regulations and the latest research on the health effects of vaping.
Advocate for prevention: Encourage broader public health measures, including stricter regulations and community-level interventions.
Vaping remains a dynamic and evolving issue, and GPs have a critical role in addressing its health implications. By combining patient-centred care with education and public health advocacy, clinicians can contribute to reducing vaping’s impact on the community while supporting healthier choices for their patients.
ED: Dr Jonine Jancey and Dr Renee Carey are from Curtin’s School of Population Health.