Athletics Victoria is proud to join health promotion foundation VicHealth and more than 40 organisations across the state as part of a new $2m initiative to empower young people to say no to vaping.
Delivered by VicHealth, Vape-Free Victoria will see 29 local councils, 5 universities, 5 sporting bodies and teams, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Quit Victoria and the Victorian Government work together to support young people aged 14 to 25 to understand the harms of vaping.
The project aims to elevate the voices and experiences of young people through the UNCLOUD platform, empowering them to help create local solutions to address vaping.
Athletics Victoria CEO Matthew Duck said that the partnership with UNCLOUD is an important one, with more than half a million 14-25 year olds in Australia vaping daily.
“Given our broader initiatives around health promotion, we’re proud to amplify the UNCLOUD message among our young people and the wider community at our events and across our channels.”
Michelle Murray, Executive Manager Health Promotion Systems at VicHealth, said this project will encourage authentic, peer-to-peer conversations about vaping.
“We know that too many young Victorians started vaping because they weren’t aware of the harms – they had no warning,” Michelle said.
“This initiative is about giving young people the tools to warn each other about vaping through real, authentic stories.
“We’re working with sports clubs, universities and local councils to roll out youth-led solutions – because we know the best way to reach young people is through other young people.”
As part of Vape-Free Victoria, sporting bodies and teams including Swimming Victoria, Athletics Victoria, Melbourne Vipers, Deakin Melbourne Boomers and Hockey Club Melbourne, will share and promote the UNCLOUD platform at sporting carnivals, youth holiday programs, events, and across social media platforms.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation will upskill coaches at sporting clubs across Victoria with vaping prevention and cessation education.
Tertiary institutions including the University of Melbourne, Federation University, Monash University, Deakin University and Swinburne University of Technology will establish student advocates, while others will offer education and training on-site to health & wellbeing staff.
Local councils are working with neighbouring councils, Local Public Health Units and other local organisations to deliver community-led projects, such as educational workshops for health providers and collaborating with local schools and sports clubs to promote anti-vaping messages.
VicHealth, Quit Victoria and the Department of Health will provide guidance and support to these organisations.
If you or someone you know needs support to stop vaping, contact Quit via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger. For more details, visit quit.org.au.
About VicHealth
A world-first health promotion foundation, VicHealth focuses on promoting good health and preventing chronic disease. VicHealth strives to create a healthier, more vibrant Victoria. Learn more at vichealth.vic.gov.au
About UNCLOUD
With more and more young people vaping every year, UNCLOUD creates space for young people to hear from their peers – to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings and to have a voice. Visit UNCLOUD to learn more and see vaping for what it truly is: uncloud.org