City of Greater Geelong to lead the Barwon South West Vaping Prevention Coalition

Geelong youths are hooked despite major crackdowns, with council receiving $200,000 to lead a push to stamp it out.

A selection of disposable vapes with bright and colourful packaging are seen. Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Geelong council has received $200,000 to lead a push to stamp out vaping in the region, as

illegal e-cigarettes continue to be sold despite government crackdowns.

Barwon South West public health unit acting director Akhtar Hussain said there had been a dramatic increase in vaping over the past few years, especially among young people.

“It is really important to have young people from across our region work together to co-design the development of a program of action to support people aged 14 to 25 to understand the impact of vaping on their health and wellbeing,” Dr Hussain said.

Geelong council has received the VicHealth Vaping Prevention Grant to lead the Barwon South West Vaping Prevention Coalition as part of the statewide VicHealth $2m Vape-Free Victoria initiative.

Greater Geelong Junior Mayor Hteemoo Yohellaymusaw said the initiative was welcome news for the youth of Geelong.

“Youth Council members outlined our concerns regarding increasing vape use among young people and the alarming health risk it poses for young people and the wider community when presenting our second report to the Council in June,” Ms Yohellaymusaw said.

“It is pleasing to see that steps are being taken to address these concerns and we hope it will promote positive change within our community.”

Dr Akhtar Hussain. Picture: Supplied

The coalition is a partnership with the Barwon South West public health unit, along with local councils, health services and community organisations in the Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Surf Coast, Corangamite, Warrnambool and Glenelg local government areas.

The project will be co-designed with community members aged between 12 and 25, with activities aiming to increase young people’s awareness of the harms of vaping and their capability to reject it.

Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said the city’s youth council had played a key role in opening dialogue on the topic of vaping across the region.

“We are grateful to the Victorian government for its funding of this vital program,” Mr Sullivan said.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan.

“Our youth council has told us that vaping is a growing concern for young people in the community and it is an issue that we acknowledge needs to be addressed.”

Vape-Free Victoria will see 29 local councils, five universities, five sporting bodies and teams, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Quit Victoria and the Victorian government work together to support young people to understand the harms of vaping.

Geelong MP Christine Couzens said having members of the community aged between 12 and 25 engaged in the program design greatly increased the chances their peers would listen to the message about vaping harm.

VicHeatlh warns vapes can contain up to 200 toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, nicotine and heavy metals, known to cause cancer and damage brains.

Originally published as City of Greater Geelong to lead the Barwon South West Vaping Prevention Coalition