NT government schools roll out new anti-vaping campaign for teens

Vapes containing anything from weed killer to bug spray are becoming more prevalent among Territory kids. Here’s how a new campaign aims to change that.

A new campaign warning Territory teens about the dangers of vaping will be rolled out across government schools and online.

Aimed at kids aged 13 to 17, the printed and digital campaign materials reveal how chemicals including acetone, weed killer, bug spray and nicotine are contained within everyday e-cigarettes.

Nicotine vapes can only legally be bought with a prescription, however recent compliance monitoring has found “many” licenced tobacco outlets in the Top End are illegally selling the products.

Darwin Middle School principal Marcus Dixon welcomed the “clear, strong message” that would be spread across government schools.

Darwin Middle School principal Marcus Dixon said his school would be embracing the new campaign. Picture: Annabel Bowles

“There’s no doubt about it – teens are being marketed,” he said.

“The (vapes) in particular we see a ones called mods which are these luminescent colours … they’re very appealing to young people.

“It’s certainly not something you would expect an adult to put near their face”.

Mr Dixon said vaping at the school reached a “tipping point” mid last year, at which point staff installed vape detectors in bathrooms.

He said the detectors, which directly alert teachers’ phones, had led to just a few incidents of vaping per term – a reduction of about 60-70 per cent from last year.

The NT government is rolling out a new education campaign within schools to warn students of the harms of vaping. Picture: Annabel Bowles

The NT government is rolling out a new education campaign within schools to warn students of the harms of vaping. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Cancer Council NT chief executive Tanya Izod said her organisation believed this campaign was going to have the same impact as the nationwide anti-smoking campaign run about two decades ago.

“If kids know what they’re vaping, if they understand what is actually in their vapes, honestly they will stop,” she said.

“One of the biggest things, of course, is the addictive nature of vaping.

“So many kids don’t know that what they’re vaping might be menthol, might be peppermint, but it’s actually also nicotine and it’s quite high levels of nicotine.”

The campaign will target NT government schools and has been reproduced with NSW government research and support from the Cancer Council.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said her government as well as the commonwealth was also working to stop illegal supply of the products.

“There’s a perception that vaping is safe and there is also a lack of information for parents of teenage Territory students,” she said.

“We want to make sure that they understand that it can lead to a lifelong, harmful addictive behaviour, as well as health impacts from the moment someone might vape.”