Key Takeaways
- The perception of vaping among New Zealand’s Year 10 students is changing, with the number of regular vapers dropping significantly since 2021.
- The number of teenagers who vape regularly has halved since 2021, with 7.1 percent now vaping on a daily basis.
- Regulation has made an impact, but there are concerns that overregulation could push people back to smoking.
- The country is raising a smoke-free generation, with a negligible number of young people smoking on a daily basis since 2021.
- However, there are concerns that teenagers may have switched to oral nicotine products instead of vaping.
Introduction to the Survey
A recent survey of over 30,000 New Zealand Year 10 students has shown a significant shift in the perception of vaping. The survey, conducted by Action on Smoking and Health, found that the number of teenagers who vaped regularly – once a month or more – had tripled between 2019 and 2021, peaking at 20.2 percent. However, the latest results indicate that this number has since halved, with 7.1 percent of teenagers now vaping on a daily basis. This decline is seen as a positive trend, with Emeritus Professor Robert Beaglehole, chairperson of Action on Smoking and Health, stating that "vaping is not as cool as it used to be."
The Impact of Regulation
The regulation of vaping products has also played a role in the decline of vaping among teenagers. In 2020, the government banned the sale of vaping products to those under 18, which has helped to reduce the availability of these products to young people. Beaglehole believes that this regulation has made an impact, but also fears that overregulation could push people back to smoking. He emphasizes that vaping helps adult smokers quit and is much less harmful than smoking. The survey results support this, with fewer than a third of teenagers having ever tried vaping, which Beaglehole sees as "great news."
A Smoke-Free Generation
The survey results also indicate that New Zealand is raising a smoke-free generation, with a negligible number of young people smoking on a daily basis since 2021. This is seen as a major global success, with Beaglehole stating that the country is "leading the way." The decline in youth smoking is a significant achievement, and the continued decline in vaping rates is also a positive trend. However, there are still concerns about the vaping rates among certain groups, particularly rangatahi Māori. The latest results show that 16.5 percent of Māori teenagers still vape on a daily basis, which is a significant decrease from previous years but still a concern.
Concerns about Oral Nicotine Products
Despite the decline in vaping rates, there are concerns that teenagers may have switched to oral nicotine products instead. Associate Professor Andrew Waa from Otago University believes that this is a possibility, and that the focus should shift from a smoke-free future to a nicotine-free future for young people. He states that vaping products are still too accessible for young Māori and Pacific people, and that the rates of vaping among these groups are "an entirely preventable inequity." Beaglehole also acknowledges the need to address the vaping rates among rangatahi Māori, and calls for more to be done to support these young people.
Conclusion
The survey results indicate a significant shift in the perception of vaping among New Zealand’s Year 10 students. The decline in vaping rates is a positive trend, but there are still concerns about the accessibility of vaping products and the potential for teenagers to switch to oral nicotine products. The country’s progress towards a smoke-free generation is a major achievement, but more needs to be done to address the inequities in vaping rates among certain groups. By continuing to regulate vaping products and support young people, New Zealand can continue to lead the way in reducing the harm caused by smoking and vaping.
