One-in-five young people have tried vaping

Data released on Monday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed 21.7 per cent of those between 18 to 24 had tried vaping, while 83.3 per cent of the cohort had never smoked cigarettes, and were the group most likely to have never smoked tobacco.

The figures, included as part of the bureau's 2020/21 national health survey, was the first time the annual survey featured data on e-cigarettes.

Overall, nearly one-in-10 adults reported having used a vaping device at least once, with men more likely to use e-cigarettes than women.

E-cigarette use was more common among 18 to 24-year-olds than any other demographic surveyed.

Those under the age of 45 were three times more likely than over-45s to have used an e-cigarette.

Almost one in 12 people between 15 and 17-years-old have used a vaping device at least once.

The bureau found more than 60 per cent of adults have never smoked.

Women were more likely to have never smoked compared to men, while just over 10 per cent of all adults said they were current daily smokers.

The national survey also revealed more than three-quarters of all Australians had a long-term health condition during 2020/21.

Nearly half of respondents also reported at least one chronic condition.

The bureau's director of health statistics, Robert Long, said the survey offered key insights into health conditions following COVID-19.

He said mental and behavioural conditions (20.1 per cent), back problems (15.7 per cent), and arthritis (12.5 per cent), were the most commonly reported chronic conditions.

Australian Associated Press