Any notion that vaping is a kinda harmless phase kids go through has been debunked by researchers looking at the surge in teens taking up the habit. The Australian Institute of Family Studies says the number of 14-17yos who vaped in 2018 was less than 1% – that’s increased to nearly 12% in 2022. Co-author Mandy Truong says it’s clear there are links between vaping and mental health issues, with teens suffering anxiety 20% more likely to take up the habit. And if you thought old-fashioned smoking was something going the way of dinosaurs – not so fast. For the first time in more than 20 years, there’s been an increase in young people smoking (from 2% in 2018 to 7% in 2022), and vaping is copping the blame for getting them hooked…