The WA government has handed down its toughest vaping laws to-date, with at least six stores across the State being issued closure orders since the legislation came into effect on May 13.

While policymakers have identified vaping, particularly among adolescents, as a priority concern, experts say long-term deterrence requires insight into the social psychology of the trend.

Murdoch University Psychology Professor Charles Young says that what may appear as just an act of rebellion or passing fad holds deeper meaning in a vulnerable time for teenagers.

“Many young people are particularly sensitive to social approval and peer norms, and behaviours like vaping can communicate status and belonging in some social circles,” Professor Young said.

“When a behaviour becomes common within a peer group, it can quickly become a social norm.”

Schools are also noticing the shift, with anti-vaping toolkits and teaching resources emerging to address the developing risks.

Professor Young said peer pressure combined with the elements of risk and adult disapproval, made the trend even more enticing during formative years.

“Early adopters may be drawn to the sense of transgression or independence it signals, but as more people participate, the behaviour can become a marker of group identity.”

Further to this, Professor Young said health warnings and horror stories had ‘limited impact on young people’, because ‘the risks feel distant and abstract’.

“Messages that rely heavily on fear can also lose credibility if they appear exaggerated or disconnected from what young people observe around them. If most people in their social environment appear to vape without obvious consequence, strongly alarmist messaging may not ring true,” he said.

Professor Young said that while health warnings remained important, WA’s new laws and tougher penalties for illegal vape sellers would play a key role as part of a broader public health response.

“Stronger regulation may also change the market in other ways. There may be fewer suppliers willing to sell illegal products, and those who do may charge higher prices to offset the increased risk,” Professor Young said.

“If that occurs, the higher cost could reduce demand, particularly among young people for whom price is an important factor.”

He said that ultimately, consistent and visible enforcement of these regulations was paramount to their effectiveness.

“Deterrence depends heavily on the perceived likelihood of detection and enforcement. If inspections are infrequent or penalties are inconsistently applied, some retailers may judge the risk to be manageable. The effect will depend largely on whether enforcement is visible and consistent.”