Australian school vaping prevention program reduces teen use by 65%

A vaping prevention program in Australian schools has reduced e-cigarette use among adolescents by 65%, according to a study published by The Lancet Public Health.[1] in July 2025. Developed by the Cancer Council Victoria Foundation in partnership with the Federal Department of Health, the program relies on interactive teaching tools, online resources, and information sessions for students, teachers, and families. This achievement, welcomed by the Australian government, comes at a time of high prevalence of vaping among young people and could inspire other countries.

The study was conducted in over 400 schools across six Australian states. Researchers followed 30,000 students aged 12 to 17 over a 12-month period. The program was implemented in half of the schools (the intervention group), while the other half served as a control group. Indicators measured included vaping rates in the past 30 days, perceptions of the health risks associated with e-cigarettes, and understanding of tobacco and nicotine industry marketing strategies. Data were analyzed using a randomized controlled trial, ensuring the statistical robustness of the results.

Spectacular results on youth vaping

The study found a relative reduction of 65% in e-cigarette use among adolescents in the institutions that implemented the program, compared to the control institutions. In the intervention group, the rate of current use (consumption in the last 30 days) fell from 18% to 6% in one year, while in the control group it only fell from 19% to 17%. This decline was accompanied by a marked decline in several indicators associated with initiation and progression to more regular use.

Beyond the sole prevalence indicator, the authors report a decrease in experimentation, which fell from 31 % to 12 % in the intervention group compared to a more modest decrease from 30 % to 26 % in the control group. Similarly, the "susceptibility" to try vaping (declared intention to try, curiosity or perceived acceptability) decreased from 44 % to 20 %, compared to only 43 % to 39 % among the control students. These effects, suggestive of an action upstream of the trajectory of entry into vaping, are consistent with the positioning of the program which combines factual content, the deconstruction of marketing arguments and the reinforcement of psychosocial skills.

Markers of intensive use also changed: the proportion of students vaping more than 10 days per month was divided by three in the intervention group (9 % to 3 %) while it remained almost stable among the controls (8 % to 7 %). Vaping during school hours decreased from 11 % to 4 %, compared to 10 % to 9 % in the control group. These trends show that the program does not only prevent initiation but also slows down the consolidation of use among adolescents who are already experimenting.

In addition, measures relating to risk perceptions improved significantly: 80% of students in the intervention group now considered vaping dangerous, compared to 62% before the intervention, while this rate only increased from 63% to 66% in the control group. Understanding of the industry's marketing strategies increased from 38% to 72%, demonstrating improved health literacy and a greater ability to identify techniques for normalizing vaping.

Finally, the intervention shows good feasibility in a school context: 87 % of the teachers in the establishments concerned have integrated at least two educational modules into their courses, and 92 % of them consider that the tools provided are suitable and easy to use. The qualitative feedback collected by the authors indicates high teacher support and positive reception from students, particularly when the content is interactive and contextualized.

Intersectoral mobilization and a model to be strengthened

The program relies on a close partnership between the education sector and health authorities. Interactive tools—quizzes, videos, and digital modules—have been integrated into science and health education lessons, while training sessions have been offered to teachers and information meetings organized with parents. This comprehensive approach, involving students, educational teams, and families, has been cited by Health Minister Mark Butler as a "modintersectoral mobilization in public health »[2].

The results obtained in Australia could inspire other countries, subject to cultural and linguistic adaptations. The study authors, however, point out that the program's success depends on sustainable funding and a restrictive regulatory environment regarding access to e-cigarettes and targeted advertising. While the intervention has shown significant effectiveness on vaping, e-cigarettes remain widely available on the market, and the industry's marketing strategies continue to target young people through social media and flavor diversification.

This study nevertheless confirms that investment in early education, combined with ambitious regulatory policies—banning advertising, strict control of online and offline sales, and dissuasive taxation—constitutes a powerful lever for reducing adolescent initiation to nicotine products. According to the authors, these integrated interventions offer complementary benefits: they contribute to strengthening health literacy, denormalizing vaping, and reducing social inequalities in health by reaching a broad school audience.

Experts stress, however, that an educational program, however robust, cannot curb the phenomenon on its own: it must be part of a comprehensive plan that includes structural measures. The Australian context, where the sale of e-cigarettes without a medical prescription is prohibited, likely amplified the program's effects. Countries where the e-cigarette market remains more permissive will need to consider additional adjustments to achieve comparable results.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1] The OurFutures Vaping eHealth intervention to prevent e-cigarette use among adolescent students in Australia: a cluster randomized controlled triaL Gardner, Lauren A et al. The Lancet Public Health, Volume 10, Issue 8, e682 - e692

[2] Press release, School program prevents teen vaping, Australian Department of Health, Published July 29, 2025, accessed July 30, 2025