The Victorian Smoking & Health Survey also found the number of young females aged 18-24 who vaped on e-cigarettes rose from 2.8 per cent in 2018-19 to 15.2 per cent in 2022.
It was estimated in total, 308,000 Victorians vaped in 2022, compared to 155,000 in 2018-2019.
Health experts are concerned about the accessibility of e-cigarettes and vapes, especially those containing nicotine– which are illegal to sell to customers over 18 years old without a prescription and illegal in all forms for people under ager.
The report found 72 per cent of those surveyed had purchased vaping and e-cigarette products from stores illegally selling the product.
Quit’s Director Dr Sarah White said readily accessible e-cigarettes would undo the years of work to defer people from smoking tobacco.
She added that the Quitline receives numerous calls in relation to vaping – with children as young as 12 admitting they are addicted.
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