Elevated depressive symptoms associated with increased e-cigarette use among young Australians

A study on smoking behavior among Australian high school students found that those who reported severe symptoms of depression were more than twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes, while compared to those who reported no depressive symptoms.

The data showed higher e-cigarette use among those with poor mental health, including depressive symptoms, moderate and severe depression, and poor health.

Studies show the important need for effective mental health support at the same time as prevention of vaping during adolescence – when these problems first appear.

Researchers surveyed 5000 Year 7 and 8 students from 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia in 2023 (May-October), creating one of the largest databases of the best of youth currently available in the country.

Of the 5157 students who participated in the study, 8.3 percent reported having used e-cigarettes before.

E-cigarette use was also 74 percent higher for students reporting moderate stress, and 64 percent higher for people reporting high stress.

E-cigarette use was also 105 percent higher among students who reported low health compared to high health. Anxiety symptoms were not associated with e-cigarette use.

The data is taken from the OurFutures survey Vaping Testthe first, and currently only, clinical trial of a school-based e-cigarette prevention program in Australia.

The trial aims to rigorously test whether the introduction of vaping can be prevented in young Australians.

“There is a lack of data on the relationship between youth vaping and mental health, particularly in the unique region of Australia. It was important that we address this as we see an increase in frailty and illness of mental health among young people,” says Dr. Lauren Gardner from the University of Sydney’s Matilda Institute, who leads the team OurFutures Vaping Test and Professor Nicola Newton.

“More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping, however these findings highlight the urgent need for prevention and early intervention strategies, supported by evidence, to support life.” good and short-term and long-term health of young people.

The results, announced on Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatrythey are consistent with research in other age groups and other countries, including the United States, which has associated youth e-cigarette use with depressive symptoms and anxiety and stress.

The Matilda Institute previously found the average age a teenager starts smoking is 14. Other research (independent from the University of Sydney) found vaping rates between 12 to 15 years old increased from episode 10 to episode 24 between 2017 and 2023.

There is growing evidence of a link between vaping and mental health: vaping is associated with the onset of mental health problems, and vice versa.”

Emily Stockings, Co-Author, Associate Professor from the Matilda Institute

“Although not examined in our study, it is possible that this relationship may be explained by shared social, environmental and genetic factors, or may point to possible mechanisms of self-healing.

“In the short term, nicotine can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, and young people may find vapes a way to cope.

“Whether mental illness affects smoking or vice versa, it’s clear that if we want to prevent the onset of vaping, we need to address mental health at the same time.”