VAPING IS NOT COOL

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has today backed a new campaign blitz which highlights the concerning health damage caused by vaping.

Mr Ward said that Cancer Institute NSW is delivering a new campaign, ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ to young people aged 14 to 24 in NSW. The campaign highlights the health harms and harmful ingredients in e-cigarettes (vapes).

“I want young people to know that vaping is not cool and that it will adversely impact their health,” Mr Ward said.

“The damage caused by nicotine and other dangerous chemicals in cigarettes is well known however vaping is a growing public health issue – vaping is bad for you – and we are concerned by the number of young people across our region who are vaping.

“The campaign is live from 28th January to 30th June 2024. It is being delivered across a range of mass media channels, including social media, online video, native, search, audio, digital display, cinemas and outdoor advertising.

“Around 16.5 per cent of young people aged 16 to 24 in NSW vape. Around two years ago, that figure was at just 4.5 per cent, so there is a legitimate basis for these concerns.

“All governments, political leaders and MPs need to work together in collaboration with non-government organisations and agencies like the Cancer Institute of NSW to increase public awareness among young people 16 to 24 in order to significantly reduce these vaping numbers in our State,” Mr Ward concluded.

For more information on vaping, young people can visit www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/vaping.