The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) provisional guidance updates on smoking and vaping cessation support related to Australia’s vaping regulation, includes a section on vaping cessation:
Currently there is a lack of research on interventions specifically targeting vaping cessation. In the absence of evidence specific to vaping, strategies shown to be effective for smoking cessation – behavioural support and pharmacotherapy - may be considered to support vaping cessation. There are specific challenges to treating vaping addiction in youth, particularly for those who are quite young, and dual users for which there is even less evidence currently available.
Where clinically appropriate, a patient may be eligible for PBS subsidised nicotine replacement therapies provided they are nicotine dependent from the inhalation of any nicotine containing product.
In Victoria, the number of new clients contacting Quitline for support with stopping vaping is increasing. Clients often describe unexpected levels of addiction to vaping and difficulties with reducing and stopping vaping. Some clients calling Quitline indicate they are using vapes to stop smoking, while many younger people using vapes have never previously smoked and are experiencing nicotine addiction for the first time. There are also clients contacting Quitline who are smoking and vaping at the same time (dual users) with some trying to quit both smoking and vaping.
Quitline has counselling protocols to support people who are vaping to quit smoking and also supports people who want to stop vaping, including young people. Refer patients at: www.quitcentre.org.au/referral-form