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They were designed as a gateway to a cigarette-free life but a new study has found vapes are increasingly leading South Australians into a smoke haze.
Preventive Health SA and the SA Health and Medical Research Institute embarked on a study of 3000 South Australians and found that in just one year the number of 15-29 year olds vaping regularly had doubled.
It jumped up to more than 15 per cent of the population.
“We know that young people who vape are three times more likely to take up tobacco smoking,” Marina Bowshall from Preventive Health SA told 9News.
Making matters more concerning for health experts, is that the long term health impacts still remain just as hidden as the ingredients inside.
“We know the nicotine liquid is toxic apart from… because it’s unregulated we don’t know what’s inside these things,” Dr. John Williams from the AMA told 9News.
Both federal and state governments are in the midst of a major move against both vaping and smoking, including sweeping new bans in public areas.
But since they were introduced, no one has been fined.
Although 11 illegal tobacco sellers have been fined a total of $11,000
“When it comes to illegal vape sales and illegal cigarette sales organised crime is heavily involved in this area and it needs a much tougher approach,” SA Health Minister Chris Picton said.
From July 1 Consumer and Business Services will take over sweeping stores for the illegal goods.
SA Health will maintain some enforcement responsibilities beyond that date, but will focuss on smokers who are lighting up – in the new or old way – in public places.
It still believes it is on track to reduced the population of smokers, to six percent by 2027.
It’s also hoping the federal senate will pass law reforms which limit vapes to pharmacies and makes them obtainable only through prescription.
“Usually we see these sort of data move around a couple of percentage points but to see it double in just one year is incredibly alarming and this highlights why we need to take action,” Picton said.
