- Palaszczuk Government has launched the There’s Nothing Sweet About Vapes public health campaign
- The $1.3 million campaign will target young Queenslanders aged 12-17 through social media, apps and websites
- The campaign was co-designed with input from 50 young Queenslanders across the state
The Palaszczuk Government has launched a new $1.3 million public health campaign designed to inform young people of the harms of vapes and e-cigarettes.
Targeting adolescents aged 12-17, the There’s Nothing Sweet About Vapes campaign will begin on August 23 and has been co-designed with the assistance of 50 young Queenslanders from regional, rural and city areas.
The campaign will target platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch and Spotify.
The campaign will highlight the health effects of harmful chemicals and ingredients found in vapes, such as lead, arsenic, and formaldehyde.
A new website will provide young Queenslanders with information on what goes into vapes, the dangers they present, and how to quit, as well as advice for parents and guardians on how to start a discussion about vaping with their children.
Last year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed more than one in five (22 per cent) young people aged 18-24, and 14 per cent of those aged 15-17, had tried vapes. The ABS said that number was expected to increase.
The campaign follows a recent $5 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government to roll out an anti-vaping program, developed by Griffith University, in government and non-government secondary schools.
A Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into vaping and e-cigarettes is due to hand down its report on 31 August.
Quotes attributable Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
“Research shows adolescents who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
“Vapes are also consciously and deliberately marketed to children and teenagers, with their bright advertising and maliciously deceptive packaging and flavours like fairy floss, cola, and ice cream.
“Our government is determined to stop this trend in its tracks, which is why I ordered the ongoing parliamentary enquiry into these addictive and sometimes poisonous devices.
“If we want to turn the dial on this growing issue, we need to take a fresh approach, and I thank the 50 young Queenslanders who helped develop this campaign.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
“Following the success of the past year’s Vape Truths campaign, I am excited to see this new campaign targeting a younger audience.
“While vaping continues to be popular among young Queenslanders, most are unaware of the dangers of inhaling chemicals into their lungs.
“Many vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, even when vapes are labelled as being ‘nicotine free’.
“We have the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world here in Queensland, and it is time we all look at vaping the same way we look at tobacco.
“I urge all parents and guardians to use the research and tips from the website to start the important conversation with their children about the dangers of vaping.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Education Grace Grace:
“Vaping is already banned at all Queensland schools and within five metres of their boundaries, but we don’t hide from the fact that vaping is happening in our schools and it is a problem we take very seriously.
“That’s why we are investing $5 million to give all Queensland schools access to the innovative Blurred Minds Academy, which features modules delivered via virtual reality.
“It builds on the extensive information and resources already provided to schools including school nurses’ partnership with Dovetail which provides clinical advice and professional support to staff working with young people who vape.
“The Department of Education also works closely with Queensland Health, the Cancer Council, the Heart Foundation, and the Lung Foundation to provide support.
“We know vaping doesn’t start and finish at the school gate: it’s a broader public health issue and this excellent campaign will complement all of the extensive work the Palaszczuk Government is doing to tackle this insidious issue.”
Timeline of Palaszczuk Government’s action on vaping:
14 March – The Health and Environment Committee (HEC) is tasked with conducting an Inquiry into reducing the rate of e-cigarette use in Queensland.
25 May – The Government passes new laws to crack down on the sale and storage of illicit tobacco and vapes.
27 May – Interim results from the HEC’s Inquiry are published and show a staggering amount of nicotine and toxic chemicals in vapes.
3 August – Government announces $5 million to roll out an anti-vaping program in secondary schools
11 August – Over $2 million of illegal tobacco products (including over 54,000 vapes) are seized in a series of coordinated raids with the Australian Border Force using new Queensland legislation.
24 August – There’s Nothing Sweet About Vapes campaign is launched targeting young Queenslanders, focusing on the negative health impacts of vaping.
