Is sports participation a protective factor against vaping for young people? 

New research from the Generation Vape research project shows that playing sports and athletic performance are protective factors against using e-cigarettes (vapes). For many young people, their passion for playing sports and performing well deters them from vaping and may even influence them to quit, many noting breathlessness as a common negative health effect. 

What is Generation Vape? 

Generation Vape is a national study into adolescent and young adult vaping and smoking. The project aims to gather evidence to inform public health policy and help prevent young people from using new addictive nicotine products.  

What are the consequences of vaping? 

The Generation Vape study found that 30% of Australian adolescents (aged 12-17 years) had used vapes in 2022-2023. This statistic is very worrying because young people are particularly susceptible to the harmful health impact of e-cigarettes.  

“Some study participants noted a decline in fitness and sports performance due to vaping,” says Amelia Yazidjoglou, a PhD student from the Australian National University with Generation Vape, “they reported experiencing shortness of breath and other health issues during physical activity and sports, while those who had stopped vaping noticed improvements after quitting.”  

“I started trying to get fitter as well, and vaping wasn’t helping, so that was another reason to [quit]… I just started working out and stuff, and I was thinking about doing boxing and AFL, but yeah… I can’t do that while vaping.” (Former user, 14 -15 years male).   

What role do sponsorships play? 

Emily Jenkinson, co-investigator of Generation Vape and Tobacco Control Projects Lead at Cancer Council NSW, says there is a long history of tobacco companies sponsoring players, teams and events, “This sponsorship helps associate their brand with healthy lifestyles, reach younger audiences and often allows them to bypass advertising restrictions”.

By associating themselves with sports broadcasting and the creation of sporting documentaries, the tobacco industry keeps gaining extensive brand exposure while influencing impressionable young audiences. 

“Elite athletes are often seen as positive role models for adolescents, promoting not only their athletic ability but also healthy lifestyles,” says Emily, “when these public figures demonstrate favourable attitudes towards vaping, it can normalise the behaviour and minimise the associated harms.”  

What’s next? 

These findings highlight the importance of sport participation in preventing vaping and supporting quitting among adolescents.

In future, prevention campaigns could focus on how vaping affects sports performance: “The study emphasises the clear need for stricter regulations on tobacco and vaping industry sponsorship in sports to limit youth exposure to their marketing and promotion. Encouraging more kids to get involved in sports, along with stronger regulations, could help keep them away from vaping,” Emily concludes.  

If this story raises any concerns for you, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20