Vaping, an addiction that is trivialized and underestimated among young people, according to an Australian study

An Australian study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health describes vaping as an addictive behavior deeply ingrained in the daily lives of many young people and young adults. Conducted with 72 people aged 14 to 39, it uses a digital diary kept for seven days to collect, in real time, their experiences and perceptions of vaping.[1].

Description of the method used

To document these uses, the team employed a method called "ecological momentary assessment." Participants used an app for seven days to describe their experiences throughout the day, as they occurred, rather than recalling them afterward. This approach captures behaviors in their immediate context, with fewer biases related to recollection. It also provides access to details difficult to obtain through traditional questionnaires: the time of vaping, the locations, emotional triggers, habits associated with coffee, the commute, or breaks, as well as feelings of withdrawal or discomfort.

The sample consisted primarily of daily vapers: 68 of the 72 participants reported vaping every day. Adolescents aged 14 to 17 years represented 42 of the group, those aged 25 to 39, 46, and those aged 18 to 24, 12. The authors emphasize that the results should be interpreted with caution, as recruitment was based on a convenience sample and not a representative sample.

A habit that has become a routine and structures the day

Researchers asked participants to keep a real-time digital diary of their vaping experiences. From this qualitative data, they identified what they describe as a "typical day" for people who vape: upon waking, with coffee, during commutes, at work or school, during breaks, and sometimes late into the night. The study shows that, for many, the act has become automatic. Some say they sleep with their vape under their pillow or in their hand, while others reach for it within seconds of waking. Vaping thus appears to be part of repeated daily routines, much like a coffee ritual or a cigarette break.

Beyond the routine, the collected testimonies reveal a significant mental preoccupation with vaping. Several participants explained that they think about their vape first thing in the morning, that they organize their schedules to vape, or that they leave a conversation, outing, or activity to take "a puff." This preoccupation is not insignificant. The authors noted feelings of stress, frustration, annoyance, and sometimes shame when vaping is prohibited, particularly on public transportation, at school, at work, or in public places. For some, simply not having their device readily available causes a form of distress. For example, some participants carry a spare device, anticipate buying a new one, or change their plans because their vape is empty, broken, or dead. Others even go so far as to use worn or dangerous devices to get one last hit, which the researchers interpret as an indicator of marked addiction.

Between feelings of fleeting relief and shame

One of the study's key findings is that vaping is experienced with ambivalence. Some participants describe it as a relaxation tool, a stress reliever, a respite, or a small personal pleasure after a busy day, but this positive perception coexists with much more negative aspects, with several respondents describing their own consumption as excessive, compulsive, or difficult to control. Some say they feel "weak," "ashamed," or addicted, and admit they want to quit but can't.

The researchers highlight a key point here: vaping appears both as a source of immediate relief and as a source of constraint. It can be experienced as a resource, but also as an intrusive habit that disrupts activities, attention, and social relationships.

A warning about the need to understand, prevent, and stop nicotine use

The authors believe their study sheds light on a form of nicotine addiction that can remain largely invisible in everyday life, precisely because it blends into routines. They point out that misconceptions persist among young people, particularly the idea that nicotine is not very problematic or easily controlled, and thus advocate for more explicit communication about vaping addiction. According to them, prevention campaigns would benefit from showing not only the health risks, but also the tangible impact the product has on daily life, thoughts, and behavior.

The authors also suggest that healthcare professionals ask more nuanced questions about vaping: not only frequency, but also times of day, triggers, social circumstances, attachment to the device, and shame associated with its use. In their view, this type of assessment could help to better identify addiction and offer more appropriate cessation support.

Associate Professor Terry Slevin, chief executive of the Australian Public Health Association, says the study confirms the dangers of vaping, particularly for young non-smokers. The predatory nicotine industry continues to try to get new users hooked, some of whom also start smoking, while downplaying the risks of vaping and making these products more readily available.[2].

Prevention and cessation support must necessarily be accompanied by strict measures to reduce the accessibility and appeal of these products. These measures can be based on international best practices: a ban on all advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of these products, neutral packaging for vaping products in the style of cigarette packs or even the ban on sweet and fruity flavorings.

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[1]Yazidjoglou A., Scott A., Jongenelis MI, A day in the life: An ecological momentary assessment of people's experiences with vaping,Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, published August 4, 2026, accessed August 5, 2026

[2]Gaby Clark, Robert Egan, How vaping disrupts daily life for young people, Medical Xpress, published August 4, 2026, accessed August 5, 2026

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