Understanding the vaping epidemic through novel integrative monitoring tool

ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award

This project aims to pioneer an innovative strategy for timely insights into vaping epidemic, integrating wastewater analysis and human biomonitoring. The project expects to generate systematic evaluation of vaping biomarkers, a retrospective analysis of vaping patterns within communities, at daily resolution and across distinct age groups, and integrate vaping data with diverse regulatory frameworks. The expected outcome is a robust evaluation of existing vaping control measures, furnishing policymakers with evidence-based insights to shape future vaping policies. This provides significant economic and social benefits by helping authorities navigate the dynamic landscape of vaping including its swift market shifts and legal intricacies.

Presentations
  • Online seminar for instrument.com.cn on Wastewater-based monitoring of tobacco and vaping use.
Research Outcomes
  • Obtained nicotine pouch samples from Queensland Health and conducted chemical analysis, showing that the majority contained S-enantiomer nicotine.
Research Outputs

Wang, Z., Zheng, Q., Thai, P.K., Gartner, C., O’Brien, J.W., Bade, R., Verhagen, R., Hall, W., Stjepanović, D., Simpson, B.S. and Keller, E.L., 2026. National Wastewater Surveillance of Illicit Tobacco and Vaping Use Trends in Australia. JAMA Network Open9(2), p.e2557319.

 

Project members

Dr Qiuda Zheng

Research Fellow