According to national data, in 2022-23 curiosity was the most frequently cited reason for choosing to vape among Australians aged 18+ who had ever used e-cigarettes (57%). E-cigarettes were also used as a smoking cessation aid (23%), and some reported using them because they taste better than regular cigarettes (23%). Young people aged 14-17 years were even more likely to cite curiosity as the main reason for trying e-cigarettes (74%), while very few reported using them to quit smoking.

Other research also indicates that young people are likely to be influenced to vape by marketing and advertising efforts (including the use of sweet flavours that appeal to children in illicit vapes), as well as peer influences.