The Rise of E-cigarette Among Australian High School Students

Jul.18.2024
The Rise of E-cigarette Among Australian High School Students
One-third of Australian high school students use e-cigarettes, with a rise attributed to COVID-19 and easy access.

According to a report by Baotintuc on July 18th, data from the Australian Department of Health shows that on average, one-third of high school students in Australia will use e-cigarettes in the years 2022-2023.


The head of the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney, Associate Professor Becky Freeman, said that in recent years, especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of high school students using e-cigarettes as schools close and public health focuses on epidemic control. Disposable high-nicotine e-cigarette products have become extremely popular in Australia.


Freedman believes that one of the reasons for the popularity of e-cigarettes among young people is that these products are marketed as being distinct from traditional cigarettes. In addition, traditional cigarettes are expensive and have health warning images on them, while e-cigarettes do not have these features. Young people perceive e-cigarettes as safe and socially acceptable.


Professor Freeman also pointed out that while the law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes in retail stores outside of pharmacies, the actual "black market" sales make it easy for teenagers to obtain these products.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape-Related Exports Rise 16.5% in July 2026 as U.S.-Bound Shipments Jump 53.5%
China’s vape-related exports reached $1.047 billion in July 2026, up 16.5% year on year and the highest monthly total of the year. Growth was heavily concentrated in the U.S., where exports jumped 53.5% to $404 million and accounted for 94.9% of the overall increase. Exports to all other markets rose just 1.2%. By category, nicotine-containing non-combustible products—primarily vapes—under HS24041200 rose 24.7% and generated 95.5% of the total increase. Vape-device exports under HS85434000 fell 0.4%, while other nicotine-substitute products under HS24041990 grew 88.9% but remained comparatively small.
DATA
Aug.24
Product | BAT Expands VELO Travellers’ Collection With Mexico, Spain and Sweden Summer Edition Nicotine Pouches
Product | BAT Expands VELO Travellers’ Collection With Mexico, Spain and Sweden Summer Edition Nicotine Pouches
British American Tobacco (BAT) Global Travel Retail has expanded the VELO Travellers’ Collection with three new Summer Editions: Mexico, Spain and Sweden. Inspired by destination themes, the new nicotine pouch variants are designed for global travel-retail channels. The launch further strengthens VELO’s positioning as a travel-retail exclusive product collection.
Aug.27
Ireland Raises Nicotine Product Taxes Again as Cigarettes Gain €1 and Vape Duty Is Set to Jump 40%
Ireland Raises Nicotine Product Taxes Again as Cigarettes Gain €1 and Vape Duty Is Set to Jump 40%
Ireland has increased tobacco excise under Budget 2027 and announced a further rise in its E-liquid Products Tax. From Oct. 7, the tax burden on a pack of 20 cigarettes in the most popular price category increased by €1, with pro-rata increases on other tobacco products. The government plans to raise EPT from €0.50 to €0.70 per millilitre from Jan. 1, 2027, a 40% increase applying to both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free e-liquids. The tobacco duty increase is expected to raise about €63.1 million in a full year.
Regulations
Oct.09
Juul Displays FDA-Authorized JUUL2, Highlights Age Verification at NACS Show 2026
Juul Displays FDA-Authorized JUUL2, Highlights Age Verification at NACS Show 2026
At the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas, Juul Labs displayed its JUUL2 e-cigarette system alongside existing products, age-verification messaging and mobile coupons, 2Firsts observed. The JUUL2 device and Virginia Tobacco and Polar Menthol pods received FDA marketing authorization in August 2026. Booth materials highlighted longer battery life, greater e-liquid capacity and connected-device features. A TruAge sign and a mobile coupon presentation also featured at the booth, with weekly offers available to age-verified adult nicotine consumers at participating retailers.
EXPO
Oct.09
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
GSTHR Estimates 200 Million People Use Non-Combustible Nicotine Products as 28 Countries Show Rising Use Alongside Falling Smoking Rates
The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction, a project operated by Knowledge·Action·Change, estimates that about 200 million people worldwide use non-combustible nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and snus. Its 2026 report says use of these products rose alongside declining smoking rates in 28 countries it analyzed. The data do not establish that all 200 million users have quit smoking, nor do they prove a direct causal relationship. GSTHR also says regulatory restrictions on the products continue to expand in many markets.
Sep.10
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11