Generation Vape Research Project
The growing rates of e-cigarette use among young people is concerning given young adulthood is a significant period for the establishment of unhealthy or risky behaviours that persist into adulthood. Generation Vape is the first research project of its kind to take place at a national level in Australia and involves both quantitative and qualitative research components.
This research is led by Cancer Council NSW in partnership with the Daffodil Centre and the University of Sydney, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, the NSW Ministry of Health and Cancer Institute NSW.
Aim
The aim of this research project is to examine awareness, perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and behaviours of e-cigarettes among the following target audiences in Australia:
- Young people aged 14-17 years
- Parents and/or carers of young people aged 14-17 years
- Secondary school teachers, principals and administrators
- Young adults aged 18-24 years
For young adults aged 18-24, the research also aims to examine and explore tobacco use alongside e-cigarette use.
Resources
 Download the February-May 2024 (Wave 6) Generation Vape findings infographic – NSW |  Download the February-May 2024 (Wave 6) Generation Vape findings infographic – NATIONAL |
Reports
- Vaping and smoking behaviours in Australian young adults: A short report: Rose S, Chapman L, Egger S, Jenkinson E, Madigan C, McGill B, Yazidjoglou A, Brooks A, Dessaix A, Watts C, Freeman B. Vaping and smoking behaviours in Australian young adults: a short report. Cancer Prevention and Advocacy Division, Cancer Council New South Wales, January 2024.
- Support for vaping policy reforms among young adult Australians aged 18-24 years (May 2024): Freeman B, Egger S, Watts C, Jenkinson E, Madigan C, Brooks A, Dessaix A.
Publications
- ‘It’ll save your lungs’: early insights into nicotine pouch use and perceptions among young Australians: Watts, C., McGill, B., Rose, S., Yazidjoglou, A., Chapman, L., Dessaix, A., Freeman, B. (December 2024)
- The association between vaping and subsequent initiation of cigarette smoking in young Australians from age 12 to 17 years: a retrospective cohort analysis using cross-sectional recall data from 5114 adolescents: Egger, S., David, M., Watts, C., Dessaix, A., Brooks, A., Jenkinson, E., Grogan, P., Weber, M., Luo, Q., Freeman, B. (October 2024)
- Parent’s awareness of, and influence on, their 14-17-year-old child’s vaping and smoking behaviours; an analysis of 3243 parent-child pairs in Australia: Egger, S., Watts, C., Dessaix, A., Brooks, A., Jenkinson, E., Grogan, P., Freeman, B. (March 2024)
- Electronic cigarette social norms among adolescents in New South Wales, Australia: Yazidjoglou, A., Watts, C., Joshy, G., Banks, E., Freeman, B. (March 2024)
- Vaping product access and use among 14-17-year-olds in New South Wales: a cross-sectional study: Watts, C., Egger, S., Dessaix, A., Brooks, A., Jenkinson, E., Grogan, P., Freeman, B. (September 2022)
Media
- New research finds Aussie teens find illegal vapes easy to access: Cancer Council NSW (September 2022)
- The Conversation – We asked over 700 teens where they bought their vapes. Here’s what they said: Becky Freeman, Christina Watts and Sam Egger (September 2022)
- Croakey Health Media – New research sounds the alarm on harmful use of vaping in young Australians: By Paul Grogan, Becky Freeman and Anita Dessaix (October 2022)
- Cheap coffee, chips, and lollies – Are vape shops targeting teens?: Mary Ward, The Sydney Morning Herald (March 2023)
- Alarming new data reveals 9 in 10 teens find access to illegal vapes easy: Cancer Council Australia (October 2023)
- Young people think vapes aren’t harmful because they are so easy to buy, study finds: Natasha May, The Guardian (October 2023)
- Acting on vaping and tobacco use: Translating research into policy to save lives: Cancer Council NSW (December 2023)
- New research reveals parents vaping and smoking behaviours significantly increase their children’s risk in taking up the habit: Cancer Council NSW (December 2023)
- Generation Vape: Australia’s new public health crisis: Danielle Kutchel, Law Society Journal online (December 2023)
- How has vaping had such a meteoric rise in Australia? Issy Phillips, Pedestrian Media (February 2024)
- New research reveals concerning results of how many Australian teenagers will take up smoking after vaping: Claire Sadler, The Nightly (September 2024)
Videos
