Towards a vape-free campus
Vaping (the act of smoking a chemical vapour from an e-cigarette) has increased significantly amongst young people in Australia. This is concerning, especially since vapes contain ingredients (such as nicotine and formaldehyde) that can cause harm to ourselves, others and the environment. Many people believe that vaping is a better alternative to smoking, but it’s still not safe. Just one hit can damage your future health. So, find out the facts to see vaping for what it really is.
VicHealth Collective Impact approach to vaping
We all want young people in our community to be happy and healthy, and live work and play in healthy environments, free from the harms of vaping. But the challenge of youth vaping is complex and constantly evolving.
That's why the University Health Promotion Program is joining forces with VicHealth and other key partners to share stories of young people and meet them where they are. Because together, we can have a real impact on protecting them from the harms of vaping.
Find out more about how we’re combining efforts with VicHealth and others to reduce and prevent vaping harm among young Victorians.
Together, we’re empowering young people to lead solutions and to confidently say no to vaping through UNCLOUD – a peer-to-peer hub to find scientifically backed information and get the facts on vaping.
UNCLOUD – See vaping for what it is
With vaping on the rise in Australia over the past few years, a range of public health responses have emerged to tackle this complex issue. The UNCLOUD campaign is one of them.
UNCLOUD creates space for young people to hear from their peers and warn each other about the realities of vaping. It empowers young people to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings to “see vaping for what it is”.
Here, they can write the warning labels they were never given – the warnings vapes never came with. All to build understanding and spark conversations about the impacts of vaping.
This enables young people to engage with the platform in different ways and in different places and connecting them to peer-led conversations and appropriate support services.
Showing that one of the best ways to get through to young people and change behaviour, is through other young people.
What you need to know
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Vaping can lead to addiction
Many vapes contain one of the most addictive substances known to humanity – nicotine. This substance keeps people using vapes and putting themselves at further risk. (Banks et al., 2022)
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Vaping can lead to smoking
Young people who vape are about three times as likely to smoke tobacco compared to their non-vaping peers, and studies show that exposure to e-cigarettes increases the urge to smoke tobacco cigarettes. (Banks et al., 2023; King et al., 2014)
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All vapes are dangerous, including nicotine-free and smoke-free vapes
Toxicological studies have found that e-cigarettes contain up to 200 harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde (known to cause cancer), acrolein (found in weed plant killer) and heavy metals that impair organ function. These ingredients are known to damage your health and can endanger the people around you especially if they are exposed to second-hand smoke. (Banks et al., 2022)
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Second-hand smoke exposure causes health problems
Second-hand smoke exposure (passive smoking) can cause heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, reproductive health problems, sudden infant death syndrome and trigger asthma attacks. E-cigarette use is not only highly damaging for your own health, but others around you too. (CDC, 2024)
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Vapes cannot be thrown away in the waste bin
Vapes cause immense environmental harm as they produce three types of waste: plastic waste which take centuries to degrade, hazardous chemical waste which contaminates the lands and waterways, and electronic waste which is highly flammable and contributes to landfill (Pourchez et al., 2022). To correctly dispose of an e-cigarette, you need to separate each of these components. Find out how to correctly dispose of vapes in Australia.
Given the dangers that e-cigarettes pose on your health, it is best to stop and quit now. If you are looking for support around quitting vaping for yourself or someone you know, we encourage you to seek support.
Smoking cessation support
If you or someone you know needs help to stop vaping or smoking:
- Contact Quitline for information about quitting
- See the Alcohol and Drug Foundation advice on helping young people to quit vaping
- University Counselling and Psychological Services
More information
- Give help to help a friend or someone you know vaping
- Visit the Vaping Facts website to get the facts about vaping and find out about the toxic chemicals in vapes in the see through the haze campaign
- Vaping is ‘a young person phenomenon’ in Australia article by Sarah Marinos, University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment, free of passive smoking risk. This is outlined in the Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Campuses Policy which prohibits smoking in university-controlled buildings, grounds and property and residences.
The University of Melbourne acknowledges the support and funding from VicHealth’s Collective Impact Approach to Vaping Grant for this campaign.