Australia’s teenage smoking rates rise for first time in 25 years, research reveals

Data also finds an increase in vaping among 14 to 17-year-olds in what researchers warn is a clear ‘gateway’ to smoking

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The proportion of teenagers smoking has increased for the first time in 25 years in a situation health experts have labelled “alarming”.

Data analysed by Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer (CBRC) has revealed a threefold increase in the proportion of 14 to 17-year-olds smoking tobacco in the past four years, from 2.1% in 2018 to 6.7% in 2022.

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