Mitchell Shire has the highest percentage of vape users in regional and rural Victoria, a report by Cancer Council Victoria has shown.
The report, released in September, found 7.1 per cent of adults in the shire currently vaped — an estimated 2645 adults.
However, when figures for daily smoking and vaping were combined, the shire ranked only 37th among regional and rural local government areas, and 39th overall across the state.
Yarra City in Melbourne’s north-east topped the statewide vaping chart, with 10 out of 100 residents who currently vaped.
The report found 4775 people in Mitchell Shire smoked or vaped daily — 12.8 per cent of the population.
The average across Victoria was 10.9 per cent.
Swan Hill, in the state’s north-west, had the highest prevalence of daily tobacco smokers, with over 16 out of 100 adults struggling to kick the habit.
In contrast, Booroondara, in Melbourne’s inner-east, showed the lowest prevalence of tobacco smokers at about five out of 100 residents.
Moira Shire led the way for prevalence of daily tobacco smokers across the Goulburn Valley.
The report builds on data collected through a telephone survey conducted between January to March 2022.
The project was spearheaded by Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer with support from the Victorian Government.
Find a copy of the report at tinyurl.com/nhjxtdme