Vaping Quit, VicHealth launch massive campaign against vaping

A lack of awareness about the poisonous chemicals in e-cigarettes and dramatic increase in vaping proves an urgent need for public health campaigns, the head of Victoria’s Cancer Council says.

The country’s largest public health campaign to combat vaping will be launched in Victoria today.

Quit, in partnership with VicHealth and the Department of Health, is releasing a powerful two-pronged offensive to highlight the risks of vaping that will urge Victorians to: ‘See through the haze’ to ‘Get the facts on vaping’.

It follows alarming new research released today by Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer showing many Victorians still don’t believe e-cigarettes are harmful, or that the risks have been exaggerated.

Quit director Matthew Scanlon says this is despite many e-cigarette liquids containing more than 200 chemicals, and some of these – such as arsenic and benzene – are known to cause cancer.

The ‘See through the haze’ campaign targets 14 to 39-year-old’s. Picture: Supplied

The campaign also follows the recent federal government announcement of planned reforms to kerb the use of non-prescription e-cigarette products, including stopping the import of all non-prescription e-cigarettes and imposing a ban on disposable devices.

‘See through the haze’ is a campaign aimed at young people aged between 14 and 39 years. ‘Get the facts on vaping’ is an online hub for parents, teachers and carers of teenagers. It will provide resources and guidance on talking to young people about vaping.

Cancer Council Victoria chief executive Todd Harper says the use of e-cigarettes is a growing public health emergency that requires a big public health response.

Mr Harper says the lack of community awareness about the many poisonous chemicals in e-cigarettes, coupled with dramatic increases in vaping prevalence, shows there is an urgent need for public health campaigns.

“We need to call vaping what it is – the resurgence of the tobacco industry,” Mr Harper said.

“We have had the vaping industry exploiting loopholes in existing laws and regulations to fast-track the marketing of these products.

Todd Harper.: “We need to call vaping what it is – the resurgence of the tobacco industry.”

“As a result there has been significant take up of e-cigarettes by young people who have been lured by bright packaging and flavours such as chocolate milk, cola ice and fairy floss.”

Mr Harper says while this is the biggest ever vaping campaign launched in Australia, it won’t end there.

“This will be the first in a series of state and national campaigns to get on top of the problem,” he said, adding he is confident it can be turned around.

“If we keep doing campaigns such as this and supporting parents and teachers in their engagement with teenagers; if we get the laws and information right, then we can turn around this problem.”

New research shows many Victorians don’t believe e-cigarettes are harmful. Picture: Supplied

The CEO of VicHealth Dr Sandro Demaio said the campaign would encourage young people to think about the vaping habit.

“Vaping is both highly addictive and harmful – the toxic chemicals found in e-cigarettes don’t belong in our lungs,” he said.

“These initiatives will help young people and parents understand what’s hiding in e-cigarettes, and spark discussion among families and between friends about the true dangers of vaping.”

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas says the rise of vaping is a real concern.

“We welcome Quit’s vital work which will help Victorians to better understand the health harms of vaping, and seeks to encourage and support people who use e-cigarettes to quit,” she said.

For more details visit Vaping Facts or Quitline.