Maryanne Stuart MP has encouraged young people to engage in a new campaign launched by the NSW Government which amplifies the voices of people aged 14 - 24 who have experienced the harms of vaping.

The campaign was developed in consultation with young people and medical experts, and reminds young people that ‘every vape is a hit to your health’.

It uses powerful advertisements to encourage young people to consider the proven health harms of vaping, such as nicotine addiction, lung damage, breathlessness, nicotine poisoning and burns from exploding vapes.

It comes as the latest NSW Population Health Survey shows current vaping among people aged 16-24 has significantly increased to 16.5 per cent in 2021-22, up from 4.5 per cent two years prior.

The ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ campaign builds on NSW Health’s successful ‘Do you know what you’re vaping?’ campaign and Vaping Toolkit, and provides a range of support pathways for young people.

For support and advice about quitting vaping young people are encouraged to contact their general practitioner, download a quit vaping app, or call Quitline on 13 78 48.

The NSW Government is committed to addressing the growing issue of vaping through ongoing collaboration with our Commonwealth and State counterparts, including contributing to the National Vaping Working Group established by the Federal Government in November 2023.

In 2023-24, the NSW Ministry of Health will invest $25 million on tobacco and e-cigarette control in NSW. This includes an investment by Cancer Institute NSW of more than $3 million in the new vaping campaign.

An additional $2.5 million is also being invested over the next 12 months to increase services to help young people quit vaping, including a new digital platform, enhancements to the iCanQuit platform and an online learning module for youth services across the state.

This comes after the NSW Government convened a roundtable last year to address the growing issue of vaping in schools. 

Since then, the NSW Department of Education is continuing to update the curriculum resources so they better address the dangers of vaping.

An online training module for school staff is also being created to have conversations with students, and webinar resources will soon be available for parents and carers.

For more information on the ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ campaign, developed by Cancer Institute NSW, visit: http://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/vaping

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart MP, Member for Heathcote:

“Since taking office, I have had constituents from all walks of life approach me with their concerns about the impacts of vaping – particularly on the young.”

“Vaping is a serious issue and it is having a significant impact on students and young people right across the Heathcote electorate.”

“The Government is taking an evidence-based approach to this issue and it’s important that the experiences of young people are at the centre of any attempts to mitigate the harms of vaping.”

“Thank you to all the young people who have come forward to share their stories and their experiences in grappling with vaping, in the hope that they can help others.

Thank you as well to all the medical professionals at NSW Health who have developed these important resources.”