Smoking and vaping behaviours among 14 and 15-year-olds: Results from the 2018 Youth Insights Survey
There is substantial evidence that smoking tobacco (cigarettes) is harmful. Electronic cigarettes (known as e-cigarettes or vapes) are devices that heat liquids into an aerosol (vapour) which is inhaled into the lungs. E-cigarettes may or may not contain nicotine. The long-term consequences of using electronic cigarettes (vaping) are currently unknown. Use of nicotine can lead to elevated heart rate and blood pressure, slower circulation, rapid and shallow breathing, and addiction. In recent years, there has been an increase within New Zealand in the prevalence of vaping among adolescents. However, not much is known about their vaping patterns.
This report presents key findings from the 2018 Youth Insights Survey (YIS) about smoking and vaping behaviours among 14 and 15-year-olds. The study explores trends in these behaviours using the data from previous years’ surveys (2012-2018 YIS) as well as looks at access to cigarettes and vapes, reasons for vaping, and contents of last vape.
The study examines the subpopulations of daily, weekly, current (at least monthly), ever (had tried smoking/vaping, even at least one puff), and never smokers and/or vapers, as well as the population as a whole.
There are also two infographics that accompany this report: