Dr Karl’s back for anti-vape campaign

An anti-vaping advertising blitz to discourage teenagers from taking up the habit will feature material from a campaign that featured well known health advocate Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

Kids aged 12 to 17 will be targeted by the state government in an anti-vaping advertising blitz that will aim to discourage teenagers and young adults from taking up the habit.

The government will put $1m behind the campaign, which will feature similar material from an earlier anti-vaping push that featured well known health advocate Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

The move comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced an inquiry last week, which will delve into the prevalence of vaping among Queensland kids and look into what e-cigarettes contain.

Two primary audiences – those aged between 12 and 17 and another group aged between 18 and 34 – will be targeted by the ads, which will run in print media, social media, and on radio.

“With this relatively new vaping trend, it’s really important that we get a strong message across – particularly to teenagers and young adults – that there are so many unknowns associated with vaping,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. Picture: Ross Coffey

“We don’t know what these devices contain and we have limited information regarding if they even contain nicotine or dangerous or toxic chemicals.

“While we have come (so) far in curbing smoking rates among Queenslanders, we are seeing significant numbers of people take up vaping.”

Dr Kruszelnicki, who has already featured in the government’s ‘Vape Truths’ campaign, will be included in the new ad blitz – with Ms Palaszczuk describing him as “respected and knowledgeable”.

“I want (Queenslanders) to be aware of the potential health risks and be better educated about what they are inhaling,” she said.

“In the end, we need to find the best way forward for the government to address this important health issue for current and future generations of Queenslanders.”

The parliamentary health and environment committee will be charged with carrying out the vaping inquiry, and will report back to the parliament by the end of August.

The opposition last week questioned how the government could reconcile its anti-vaping push with its recent announcement that it would relax drug laws for those caught with small quantities of heroin, ice, and cocaine.

The government also introduced new laws into parliament in the past week aimed at cracking down on the illegal sale of cigarettes.