Behind the News High: Teenage smoking rates

• Behind the News, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

This video discusses current rates of smoking among young people and the effect the illegal cigarette market in Australia is having on these rates. It explores the health effects of smoking, and the link between smoking and vaping. The video includes interviews with Professor Becky Freeman (University of Sydney) and Associate Professor Raglan Maddox (Australian National University). A transcript, curriculum links, focus questions and activities are available on the ABC website.

Video length: 6:05

• Increased knowledge of the illegal cigarette market and public health policies
• Increased knowledge of the health effects of smoking

Expert Review*:

The video was developed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and includes input from experts. The facts provided about rates of smoking and the health effects are aligned with current evidence (see Tobacco & Cigarettes: Factsheet for more information). It has a high production quality and discusses the illegal cigarette market in an engaging, relevant, and easy to understand way. The video includes interviews with young Australians to increase relevance to students.

As some of the people being interviewed discuss how many young people smoke cigarettes and vape, it is important to be aware of the potential for normalisation. Teachers could include a myth busting conversation about how many young people are actually using cigarettes and vapes. According to the 2022-2023 Australian secondary schools' survey, 1 in 30 students (3%) aged 12–17 reported they had smoked in the past month, and 1 in 6 (16%) reported they had vaped in the past month.

*Review provided by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney.