Spike in young Aussies vaping despite knowing risks

Young Australians are continuing to vape in alarming numbers, despite being aware of the severe health risks involved.

The habit has risen by 10 per cent among 15 to 29-year-olds in the past year alone, with one in three telling the Burnet Institute's 2025 Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll survey they vape.

It found that participants rated the harmfulness of vaping at an average of 89 out of 100, suggesting a strong awareness of health risks despite widespread use.

Vaping can expose users to chemicals and toxins to can cause adverse health effects, peak health bodies warn.

Nearly 63 per cent of respondents reported having used vapes or e-cigarettes during their lifetime, with curiosity and peer influence the most common reason for starting.

In 2019, just five per cent of respondents had reported vaping.

"What this survey shows is a real disconnect between awareness and behaviour," Burnet Institute Head of Young People's Health Megan Lim told AAP.

"Young people clearly understand that vaping can be harmful, but that knowledge alone isn't enough to prevent use."

The Victorian study, which captured the insights of more than a 1000 young people, also found that alcohol use remains widespread, with 95 per cent of young people reporting drinking alcohol in the past year.

"The pattern isn't clear from the numbers, but we found a statically significant downward trend over 10 years after adjusting for changes in demographics," Ms Lim added.

More than 70 per cent had used drugs at some point over the past year, while 45 per cent had done so in the past month.

The most common substances included marijuana and MDMA, although the use of ketamine and cocaine has steadily been increasing.

The survey also found knowledge gaps remain for young people on sexual health.

Participants answered only four out of six sexual health questions correctly, with just 50 per cent aware that chlamydia can cause infertility in women and 56 per cent knowing it can be diagnosed with a urine test.

Young people surveyed also reported that while some sexual health topics are covered in school-based education, others are largely overlooked.

The most-well covered topics included consent education and contraception, while types of sex, abnormal period symptoms and sexual pleasure were identified as major gaps within teaching.

"Many are missing out on basic, practical sexual health education that helps them make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships," Ms Lim said.