Australian Vape Depression Claim

Considering the Daily Fail goes on to promote one of its other pieces, “The sinister truth about vaping - and why it's NOT a safer option”, it’s safe to say that honesty and facts are not at the top of the editorial team’s priority list.

“Researchers can’t yet show that vaping is a direct cause of depression and anxiety, only that there is an established link between them,” the newspaper states.

The University of Sydney team says its study has revealed a dual mental health and vaping “crisis” among Australian youth, with high school students struggling with mental health, stress and wellbeing more likely to have tried e-cigarettes. 

“A study on vaping behaviour among Australian high school students has found those who reported severe depressive symptoms were over twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes, compared to those reporting no depressive symptoms,” the University’s press office states.

“Data showed overall higher e-cigarette use among those with poorer mental health, including severe depressive symptoms, moderate and high stress, and low wellbeing.  The findings show a critical need for effective mental health support at the same time as vaping prevention during early adolescence -- when these issues first emerge.”

The researchers surveyed over 5000 Year 7 and 8 students from 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia in 2023 (May-October), creating one of the largest datasets on adolescent vaping currently available in the country. Out of the 5157 students who took part in the study, 8.3 percent reported having used e-cigarettes before.

E-cigarette use was also 74 percent higher for students who reported moderate stress, and 64 percent higher for students who reported high levels of stress.

E-cigarette use was also 105 percent higher for students who reported low wellbeing compared to high wellbeing. Anxiety symptoms were not associated with e-cigarette use.

The data was drawn from a survey within the OurFutures Vaping Trial, the first, and currently only, clinical trial of a school-based e-cigarette prevention program in Australia.

The trial aims to rigorously test if vaping uptake can be prevented in Australian adolescents.

There is a lack of data on the links between adolescent vaping and mental health. It was important we addressed this as we are witnessing both vaping and mental ill-health increase among young people.

Dr Lauren Gardner said: “There is a lack of data on the links between adolescent vaping and mental health, especially in the unique Australian context. It was important we addressed this as we are witnessing both vaping and mental ill-health increase among young people.

“More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping. These findings highlight the urgent need for prevention and early intervention approaches, backed by evidence, to support both the short- and long-term health and wellbeing of young people.”

Hang on…but the Mail says there is a link. Does this mean the newspaper isn’t telling readers the full story?

The authors say the results, published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, are consistent with research in other age groups and countries, including the United States that has linked adolescent e-cigarette use with depression and stress.

“There is a growing body of evidence of a relationship between vaping and mental health: vaping has been linked with the onset of mental health problems, and vice versa,” said co-author Associate Professor Emily Stockings from the Matilda Centre.

“Although not explored in our study, it is possible that this relationship can be explained by shared social, environmental and genetic risk factors, or it may point to possible self-medicating behaviours.

“In the short term, nicotine may reduce feelings of anxiety and stress, and young people may be reaching for vapes as a coping mechanism.

“Regardless of whether mental ill-health influences smoking or vice-versa, it is clear that if we are to prevent vaping onset, we need to address mental health at the same time.” 

On Twitter/X, Dr Colin Mendelsohn said: “Appalling journalism by the Daily Mail. Headline claims that #vaping "may double the risk of depression" (causation) but the researchers clearly state the link is only an association. Most likely explanation is that vaping is a coping aid for depressed teens.”

Photo Credit:

• Photo by Stormseeker on Unsplash

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV

View Articles

Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.