Lancet says Anti Vaping Program Works

A major new study published in Lancet Public Health shows Australian OurFutures Institute Vaping Prevention Program reduces the likelihood of adolescent vaping by 65 per cent compared to standard health education.

Led by Dr Lauren Gardner and Prof Nicola Newton at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, the study involved more than 5,000 students across three Australian states, making it the largest trial of its kind.

Dr Gardner said, “Adolescents who vape are being exposed to harmful and addictive chemicals during critical stages of brain development. This can affect the brain’s reward pathway and increase the risk of addiction to both nicotine and other substances.”

Dr Gardner added that there was still a massive amount of work to do to curb nicotine use among young people and stop vaping in its tracks.

“Rates of vaping among young people remain unacceptably high. Vapes can contain very high concentrations of nicotine, and vaping is an established risk factor for tobacco smoking. Prevention is our best shot at breaking the cycle of addiction, before it starts.”

Findings show that the digital, interactive, evidence-based OurFutures Institute Vaping Prevention Program increases vaping-related knowledge and equips young people with the real-world refusal skills to say no when it matters most.

The study comes amid new government figures which show that while there is more to do, vaping rates are starting to decline among young people in Australia following sustained investment and campaigns.

This includes Commonwealth funding to deliver the OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program nationally to students in Year 7 and 8.

Ken Wallace, CEO of OurFutures Institute, said, “Our research proves that when you give students the right tools, they make healthier choices,” Mr Wallace said.

"Giving young people the tools to resist Big Tobacco's predatory tactics is what world-leading public health action looks like  -  combining tough enforcement with proven prevention programs to protect our children's future."

Public health expert and Director and Head of Office WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, Dr Sandro Demaio, said doctors were seeing first-hand the devastating effects of vaping.

“Australia must urgently act before we lose another generation to nicotine addiction,” he said.

“Doctors are seeing the devastation caused by young people gripped by a vaping epidemic, and we are also seeing a sharp increase in young people taking up smoking cigarettes as they graduate from vaping.

“While Australia's supply-side measures have made important progress, we can also now lead the way in stopping Big Tobacco in its tracks, by also addressing demand. The OurFutures program is an adolescent vaping prevention that works.”

Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler said the Albanese government was proud to back the OurFutures Institute Vaping Prevention Program.

“We've reduced supply, but Big Tobacco continues to find ways to target our children, so there is more to be done. The vaping reduction program being delivered by OurFutures Institute is part of our plan for Australia to reclaim its position as a world leader on tobacco control.”

For more information on the program or how your school or community can get involved, visit: www.ourfuturesinstitute.org.au.
Link to Lancet research paper here strictly embargoed until 29/7/25, 830am AEST:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(25)00145-8/fulltext