Youth vaping. Is it time to panic?

Youth vaping in Australia is decreasing smoking rates, not increasing them. Most young non-smokers who vape do so infrequently. Only frequent vaping over time poses potential harm, and serious effects are rare. Nicotine dependence among youth is low, with only a small percentage likely to be nicotine-dependent. Retail sales bans on vapes are misleading, as most youth obtain them from friends or online. Public messaging about vaping should be accurate, highlighting its role in reducing smoking. Vaping is shown to be less addictive than smoking. Stringent measures like licensing vape shops can help curb youth access.