Vaping in Australia: What You Need to Know and How to Quit

Vaping has become more common in Australia—especially among younger people. While many believe it’s a safer alternative to smoking, the health risks associated with vaping are becoming clearer as more research emerges.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the latest statistics, health risks, and most importantly, how to quit vaping with the right support and strategies.

Vaping in Australia: The Current Landscape

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), vaping has significantly increased over recent years:

• In 2019, about 11% of Australians aged 14 and over had tried vaping.

• By 2022–23, that number had jumped to almost 20%.

• Around 4.4% of Australians now use a vape at least once a month.

• Among young adults aged 18–24, 9.3% vape daily.

While this trend continues to grow, particularly in younger people, tobacco smoking has slightly declined—indicating that many people are turning to vaping as an alternative.

But is it a safe alternative?

Understanding Nicotine Dependence from Vaping

Just like cigarettes, vapes often contain nicotine, the addictive substance that makes quitting so hard. In fact, vapes can deliver nicotine at levels similar to or even higher than cigarettes.

Because the nicotine is inhaled in vapor form, it quickly reaches the brain and reinforces addiction. This means quitting vaping can be just as difficult as quitting smoking—and requires a proper treatment approach.

What’s Really in a Vape? Harmful Chemicals You Should Know About

Many people are surprised to learn that vapes contain harmful chemicals. Here are some of the most concerning:

🚨 Formaldehyde

• A known carcinogen.

• Formed when vape liquid is overheated.

• Can damage lungs and airways.

🚨 Acrolein

• A toxic chemical also used in herbicides.

• Linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma flare-ups.

🚨 Diacetyl

• Used to create buttery flavours.

• Linked to “popcorn lung”, a serious and irreversible lung condition.

🚨 Heavy Metals

• Vapes may contain lead, nickel, and chromium.

• These can damage the heart, brain, and nervous system.

⚠️ Other Risks

• Nicotine poisoning (especially in kids who accidentally ingest vape liquid)

• Burn injuries from faulty devices

• Respiratory irritation, coughing, and potential long-term effects (still being researched)

Even more concerning, young people who start vaping are more likely to begin smoking cigarettes later.

Quitting Vaping: What the Experts Recommend

Leading health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommend using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and professional support to help quit vaping.

First-line options for quitting:

• Nicotine patches

• Nicotine gum, lozenges, or sprays

• Prescription medications like varenicline

• Behavioral support (e.g. counselling, quit plans)

While most of the research has focused on smoking, these same approaches are now being used successfully to help people quit vaping.

How a Home Medicine Review Can Help You Quit

Pharmacists play an important role in helping people quit vaping. They can:

• Assess your level of nicotine dependence

• Recommend the right type of NRT

• Provide counselling and support

• Help you make a personalised quit plan

• Follow up to keep you on track

Questions a pharmacist might ask:

• How often do you vape, and how long have you been doing it?

• Do you crave vaping soon after waking up?

• Have you tried to quit before? What happened?

• Do you feel anxious, irritable, or unfocused when you don’t vape?

• Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications?

This helps them choose the right NRT products and guide you through the process.

What is NRT and How Does It Work?

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides a safe, controlled amount of nicotine to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms—without the harmful chemicals found in vapes or cigarettes.

Common NRT Products:

• Patches – deliver a steady dose of nicotine all day.

• Gum and lozenges – help with cravings as they occur.

• Oral sprays – fast-acting and convenient for quick relief.

💡 Combination therapy—like using a patch plus a gum or spray—can be more effective, especially for people with stronger nicotine dependence.

Common Misconceptions About NRT (and the Truth)

Misconception	What You Should Know
"NRT won’t work for me."	NRT increases your chance of quitting by 50–70%.
"It’s just swapping one addiction for another."	NRT is much less addictive and safer than vaping or smoking.
"I’ve heard NRT isn’t safe."	NRT has been used safely for decades—even long-term.
"Vaping is safer, so I don’t need to quit."	Vaping carries serious health risks and may lead to smoking.
"I’ve tried NRT before—it didn’t work."	You may not have used the right dose or method. Pharmacists can help you get it right.
"I don’t want to use two NRT products at once."	Using a patch with gum or spray is more effective than using one alone.
"I have a script for varenicline—I don’t need NRT too."	Combining varenicline with NRT can be even more effective.