University of Otago researchers interviewed 22 people between the ages of 16 and 20, based in the Dunedin and Christchurch areas, about their experiences with vaping.
The research found young people were struggling with the effects of vaping addiction, the physical and mental cravings disrupting their school and work routines.
"The young people we talked to reported disruption to their daily routines, especially at school, as they succumbed to cravings and looked for opportunities to vape, whether in classrooms, bathrooms, vehicles or outdoors.
"They created excuses to leave their classes as they felt driven to vape.
"Many of the study participants became irritable, uncomfortable, moody or angry if they had to delay vaping."
All the participants in the study described themselves as being addicted to vaping.
Most recounted a rapid transition from vaping socially to feeling addicted — typically within just a few weeks.
"Once they had obtained a device of their own and no longer relied exclusively on others sharing vapes with them, their level of vaping increased rapidly and many quickly felt out of control."
The commonplace nature of vaping in social settings encourages ongoing and more frequent use of vapes by young people, Ms DeMello said.
"Participants told us they see vaping everywhere they go, and that, unlike smoking, their friends and peers are usually not judgemental about it."
She said 15% of 15 to 17-year-olds and 25% of 18 to 24-year-olds in New Zealand reported vaping every day. Māori were 2.5 times more likely to vape than non-Māori.
"We urgently need stronger policy measures that protect young people from the aggressive marketing that continues to target them."
Ms DeMello said the speed with which those interviewed became addicted, and the disruption and distress to their lives, demonstrated the need to reduce the widespread availability, affordability and appeal of vapes.
"Targeted health promotion campaigns aimed specifically at young people which feature personal testimonies, could deter vaping uptake.
"We also need vaping cessation programmes that are specifically tailored to youth."
The research team said the government should consider ending the sale of vaping products in retailers such as dairies; capping overall retailer numbers to lower the density of stores selling vapes; stopping any vape store from operating within 500m of schools and marae; and preventing retailers from discounting vapes or using loyalty programmes.
They also said close monitoring would be needed if the government proceeded with its plan to end the sale of disposable vapes, given how quickly vaping companies created new technologies that undermined the intention of the law.
