Geelong’s youth are activating to spread the word about the dangers of vaping among their peers ahead of World No Tobacco Day this Saturday.
Senior students and staff at North Bay College and North Geelong Secondary College have been working with the City of Greater Geelong’s Youth Development team and partner CatholicCare Victoria’s Settle Well program all year to raise awareness of the effects of vaping.
The co-design project is part of the Barwon South West Vaping Prevention Coalition, funded by a $200,000 VicHealth Vaping Prevention Grant.
The program draws on the lived experience and perspectives of young people, asking them to pitch and implement ideas on vape prevention.
Youth Council member Lacey Young is participating in the local youth vaping action group.
She said it was really concerning how many young people were continuing to take up vaping.
“It is higher than ever before, but the good thing is, young people aren’t just standing by,” Ms Young said.
“Youth-led groups and initiatives allow us to find ways to prevent and reduce the rise of vaping amongst adolescents.
“It shows that we care and are willing to take action to help stop vaping from becoming the norm.”
Councillor Rowan Story, Geelong council’s chair of Health and a retired surgeon, praised the local teenagers working to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping.
“These North Geelong Secondary College and Northern Bay College students are proving themselves to be future leaders of the community,” Cr Story said.
“They are committed to sparking honest conversations amongst friends and classmates.”
Visit uncloud.org to find out more about the dangers of vaping.
