General News
3 October, 2024
State backs anti-vaping campaign for youth
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas has announced a $2 million investment to deliver workshops and community events to educate young people about the harms of vaping.
The funding will also be used to develop a peer-to-peer digital platform for young people aged 14 to 25.
“We’re working with sporting clubs, universities and local councils to spread anti-vaping messaging,” Ms Thomas said.
“We know the impacts vaping has on our health and this initiative will allow young people to learn about the risks.”
The two-year project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) in partnership with UNCLOUD - a digital platform which provides peer-reviewed and scientifically backed information about vaping and allows young people to share their stories with each other.
"This initiative is about giving young people the tools to warn each other about vaping through real, authentic stories, because we know the best way to reach young people is through other young people," VicHealth’s health promotions systems executive manager Michelle Murray said.
More than 30 local councils, five sporting teams and five universities will join the project, sharing the platform, along with Swimming Victoria, Athletics Victoria, Melbourne Vipers, Deakin Melbourne Boomers and Hockey Club Melbourne.
As part of the project, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation will upskill coaches at sporting clubs across Victoria with anti-vaping education.
VicHealth, Quit Victoria and the state Department of Health will provide guidance and support to these organisations.
The Victorian Government has committed to continuing to work on the implementation of a bill to restrict the sale of vapes to pharmacies.