Daily e-cigarette usage in Australia remained virtually unchanged during 2022-23 and 2025, rising from 3.5% to 3.6%. That number translates to about 800,000 Australians aged 14 years and above, based on AIHW survey results revealed in July 2026. In the meantime, daily smoking decreased to 5.6%, setting a new record low. Smoking continued to decrease while daily vaping remained unchanged, raising a clear question; why is the daily vaping habit so resistant? The question becomes even more relevant to the Bulubulu vapes sold to 15,000 puffs.
How Longevity May Be An Issue?
Devices designed for thousands of puffs, such as Bulubulu vapes, are likely to last for several weeks, taking away the pauses created by older models. Cigarettes are bound to finish, but with a vape that lasts a long time comes the absence of the need to refill. The discreet nature of such devices allows their use in the workplace, in cars, at night, without drawing much attention. A lot of small puffs throughout the day are bound to turn into a routine long before anyone even thinks about addiction. The realisation of how deep this habit became occurs only after the device runs out of power.
What National Statistics Tell Us And Fail To Tell?
The constant daily percentage reflects the whole population, but not the same people who continue their daily vaping habit year after year. The fact is that the daily vapers’ share remained constant while the less frequent use decreased significantly. The statistics don’t identify the particular brands or types of devices used by daily vapers. It also cannot show for sure what keeps the daily percentage constant, although dependence is one of the reasons considered by the health experts. It is clear though that 800,000 people continue to vape daily in Australia.
Possible Signs Of Nicotine Dependence
Some patterns may actually indicate that vaping has slipped beyond a simple habit and into the realm of dependence, the scary type:
- There are a lot of people who find themselves reaching for the vape the minute they wake up, often before they’ve even thought about getting out of bed.
- You’re probably not alone if you start to feel a bit on edge, irritable or unable to focus when you can’t get your hands on a vape.
- Waking up in the middle of the night to get one last puff is not that unusual, nor is having trouble sleeping if you’re not vaping.
- And some people are spending way more money than they had planned on vaping gear, or buying from suppliers that are clearly operating outside the law.
None of these signs is a formal diagnosis, but if you identify with any of them, it’s a good idea to talk to your GP, pharmacist or Quitline to figure out what it all means.
Support Options You Might Find Helpful
If you’re looking for support to quit vaping, you might find Quitline on 13 7848 to be a good starting point. They offer free and confidential help from experienced counsellors who specialise in supporting people who are giving up vaping. They can arrange a callback at a time that suits you, and they also have interpreters available if you need them. The free My QuitBuddy app is another useful resource; it has quit tips, games to help you distract yourself from cravings and a community forum to talk to others who are going through a tough time. Quit.org.au also has a lot of information on building a personal quit plan with clear dates and steps.
If you decide to talk to your GP or pharmacist about quitting, they can discuss nicotine replacement therapy and other medicines that might help you get through the tough times when you’re withdrawing from vaping. Just be aware that appointments and medicines may cost some money, so it’s a good idea to ask about fees and any subsidies you might be eligible for beforehand. Some people like to reduce their vaping gradually, while others prefer to just stop cold turkey, but either way, health services are there to support you. According to government resources, the thing that often works best is to use a combination of different support options because relying on willpower alone is just not enough.
It’s worth noting that quitting vaping by swapping for nicotine pouches is just not the same as quitting nicotine altogether, despite what some marketing might suggest. In fact, quit experts warn that using more than one nicotine product can actually just make your addiction worse without you even realising it.
Getting Through the Early Days of Quitting
Withdrawal from vaping is usually at its worst in the first few days and that can mean a lot of cravings, restlessness and disturbed sleep. But here’s the thing: each time you get through a craving without giving in to it, you’re one step closer to quitting for good; that’s the message from the government quit resources. There are some simple tactics that can help when you’re in the middle of a craving like delaying, taking a few deep breaths, drinking some water or just getting out of the situation. Planning ahead for situations that might trigger a craving before your quit date can also help a lot because, let’s face it, stress, alcohol and social events can be a real challenge when you’re trying to quit vaping. And remember, even if you do slip up and have a vape, it’s not a failure; it just means you need a better plan for next time.
And if you’re finding that vaping has been a way for you to manage stress, it’s a good idea to know that mental health support is available to help you alongside your quit attempt. Quitline counsellors can actually help you find the support you need if you need it.
Let’s face it, quitting vaping is rarely something you can do on willpower alone. But the good news is that free support is just a phone call away and that call can sometimes be the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free life.
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