Depression and vaping: what’s the link?

A study of 5000+ high school students has found that those with severe depressive symptoms were over twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes, compared to those with no symptoms.

Researchers, led by the University of Sydney, surveyed Year 7 and 8 students from 40 schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia in 2023, creating a large dataset on adolescent vaping currently available in the country.

“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,” said Dr Lauren Gardner from the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre, who co-leads the OurFutures Vaping Trial with Professor Nicola Newton.

The study found overall higher e-cigarette use among those with poorer mental health, including severe depressive symptoms, moderate and high stress, and low wellbeing. Out of the 5157 students who took part in the study, 8.3% reported having used e-cigarettes before. E-cigarette use was also 74% higher for students who reported moderate stress, and 64% higher for students who reported high levels of stress. The use was also 105% 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, a 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.

“More research is needed to understand the complex relationship between mental health and vaping, however 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.”

Co-author Associate Professor Emily Stockings from the Matilda Centre said, “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.”

The Matilda Centre previously found the average age a teenager begins to vape is 14. Other research (independent of the University of Sydney) has found vaping rates among 12- to 15-year-olds increasing from 10 to 24% between 2017 and 2023.

Image credit: iStock.com/Igor Ilkov