BACKGROUND: Vaping has increased substantially in Australia. Understanding the profiles and motivations of people who vape in a country with strong vaping control policy is important to understanding policy impacts. This study aims to identify the distinct profiles of individuals who vape and examine the socio-demographics and correlates of these profiles.
METHODS: We analysed data from the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, (n=21,500, nationally representative sample) restricted to individuals who had vaped at least once or twice (n=3,457). Using latent class analysis, we identified distinct characteristics based on key vaping and smoking variables. Logistic regression explored the correlates of each identified class.
RESULTS: A three-class solution was identified. Class 1 was characterised by high probabilities of individuals who formerly smoked and vaped only once or twice, out of curiosity (Experimenters, 46.0%); Class 2 (Vape adopters, 20.4%) had high probabilities of individuals who formerly smoked and vape occasionally. Class 3 (Cessation, 33.4%) featured high probabilities of individuals who smoked daily and used e-cigarettes as a tool to quit smoking. Using experimenters as a reference group, the vape adopters were more likely to be older (30+ years), experienced very high psychological distress, belonged to a culturally and linguistically diverse background, had lower education, lived in areas of low socioeconomic disadvantage, identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or were not currently employed. The cessation class members were likely to be older (30+ years), male, experienced moderate to very high psychological distress, have lower education, and report recent illicit drug use.
CONCLUSIONS: This study identified three distinct profiles of individuals who vaped in Australia, each characterised by unique socio-demographic and psychological correlates. These findings emphasise the need for tailored public health strategies to address the unique needs of each group, including targeted interventions to reduce e-cigarette-related harms and support smoking cessation efforts.