A new report from Cancer Council’s Generation Vape research project shows fewer teenagers are taking up vaping since the NSW Government introduced tough vaping goods laws.
New findings show the number of NSW teens surveyed in the Generation Vape project who have tried vaping has declined from 29.6 per cent in April 2024 to 20.1 per cent in October 2025.
The report presented findings from NSW teens (14-17 years) on changes in vape use, access and perceptions between April 2024 and October 2025.
The encouraging decline follows the commencement of new laws introduced by the Minns Labor Government in December 2024, which banned vapes from being sold in retail settings across NSW. The laws also mean vaping products can only be dispensed from a pharmacy for smoking cessation and management of nicotine dependence.
NSW has some of the toughest penalties in the country for the sale and commercial possession of illicit tobacco with further reforms introduced in July 2025, targeting the sale of illicit tobacco and illicit vaping goods. Under these laws, the maximum penalty for supplying illicit vaping goods is now $1.54 million, and/or seven years imprisonment.
Other key findings NSW finding from the latest Generation Vape report include:
- 88.2 per cent of respondents reported little (only had a few puffs) or no experience with vapes
- The number of respondents who vaped 100+ times dropped from 6.4 per cent to 2.6 per cent
- Teens are less likely to think vaping is common among their peers
- Most teens agree vaping is unsafe and addictive.
NSW Health is taking action to protect the community, particularly young people, from the harms of vaping. Preventing uptake of vaping and supporting teenagers and young people to quit vaping remain key priorities for NSW Health.
More than 10, 000 young people have sought support to quit vaping through Cancer Institute NSW’s Pave app, since its launch in February 2025.
The Australian-first evidence-based vaping cessation app provides users with helpful tips, motivation, tracking tools, distractions for when cravings hit, as well as activities and information to navigate common barriers to quitting vaping.
NSW Health also developed the award-winning ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ campaign, which uses powerful advertisements to encourage young people to consider the proven health harms of vaping, such as nicotine addiction, lung damage, breathlessness, nicotine poisoning and burns from exploding vapes.
The NSW Health Vaping Toolkit ensures there is evidence-based vaping resources to support parents and carers, teachers and health professionals to start conversations with young people about vaping, recognise nicotine dependence, understand signs of withdrawal, and support young people with practical tips to quit vaping.
The reforms, the Generation Vape survey results and the PAVE app success follow the NSW Government’s Vaping Roundtable held in November 2023. The Roundtable heard first-hand accounts from students, teachers, principals and evidence from health experts and researchers, about vaping behaviour and how it is affecting young people.
For support and advice about quitting vaping, young people are encouraged to contact their GP download Pave or call Quitline on 13 78 48.
More information on vapes and their health harms is available on the NSW Health website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/e-cigarettes.aspx and in the Vaping Toolkit here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaping
Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Our Government has introduced vaping reforms designed to protect young people and these encouraging findings show this legislation is working.
“Before our changes, getting access to vapes was legally confusing. They were clearly marketed to children and young people with brightly coloured packaging and cartoon images and available from retailers on what seemed like every corner – but that’s no longer the case.
“While we have made it harder for young people to get their hands on vapes, NSW Health’s comprehensive support to help quit vaping as well as its award-winning public health awareness and education campaigns about the dangers of vaping, have pleasingly led to more teens trying to quit, and less trying it in the first place.”
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM:
“The Pave app is providing practical support to quit vaping and it’s encouraging to see the impact it’s making, with thousands of people using the app as part of their efforts to quit.
“It’s important that people avoid taking up vaping or seek help to quit. Quitting can be hard but with the right support, it is possible and can be life changing.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM:
“Vaping remains a significant public health issue. Vapes are highly addictive and can cause serious health harms.
“Whilst we have a strong legislative framework in place, continuing efforts to address youth vaping is critical.
“The Generation Vape results show us that NSW’s comprehensive approach based on strong partnerships and co-design with young people is working, with more young people understanding the harms of vaping and making healthy choices.”