Teenagers have not turned to cigarettes since vapes were restricted to pharmacies, the Federal Government says, based on Cancer Council-led research showing declines in both vaping and smoking.

The government’s vaping crackdown culminated in all vapes, including those without nicotine, becoming S3 medicines in October 2024, following a last-minute political deal with the Greens.

It sparked concerns that teens would pick up smoking if vapes were difficult to access.

However, Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler says new data from April 2025 should extinguish any concerns.