Using e-cigarettes triples the chance of a non-smoker taking up cigarettes and there is “insufficient” evidence that they help smokers quit, according to a new report submitted to the Government.

Research led by The Australian National University (ANU) reviewed the worldwide evidence on e-cigarettes and smoking behaviour, relevant to the Australian context.

“We found clear evidence that non-smokers who use e-cigarettes are around three times as likely to take up conventional smoking as their peers who don’t use e-cigarettes,” lead researcher Professor Emily Banks from ANU said.

The study was undertaken with researchers from the University of Melbourne. 

“Our findings support concerns that e-cigarettes are a gateway to smoking, especially among young people,” University of Melbourne researcher Olivia Baenziger said.    

The researchers say Australia “leads the world in tobacco control”, with 11 per cent of adults smoking daily and younger generations driving the trend down with around 97 per cent of 14- to 17-year-olds having never smoked. 

“E-cigarettes could undermine a wonderful smoke-free start in life,” Professor Banks said.

“There are around 2.3 million smokers in Australia, and it is our number one cause of premature death and disability. 

“Avoiding e-cigarettes in non-smokers is vital to keeping progress going against smoking.”

The researchers also say there is limited evidence e-cigarettes help people give up smoking and that ex-smokers using e-cigarettes are more than twice as likely to relapse. 

“Most people who give up smoking successfully don’t use any products like patches or medication to do it – they do it by themselves, for example by going cold turkey,” Professor Banks said.

“Our review found that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes are effective for quitting smoking compared to other approaches, but there are promising signs that they have potential to help. 

“The evidence also indicates that e-cigarettes tend to lead to prolonged use of nicotine, rather than quitting the habit entirely.”

Current guidelines from The Royal Australia College of General Practitioners has e-cigarettes listed as a last resort for quitting, after other measures.

“Australia is in a great position to use the best possible evidence to protect the health of future generations, while supporting smokers to quit,” Professor Banks said. 

“There is a lot of pressure from companies and individuals who stand to make millions from e-cigarettes. 

“We definitely don’t want something widely available that is going to increase people taking up smoking.” 

The summary report on e-cigarette use and impact on tobacco uptake and cessation in Australia was written by researchers from the ANU Research School of Population Health.