The Minns Labor Government is today launching a new evidence-based Pave app to help more young people quit vaping.
It comes as new data shows NSW Health's youth-targeted campaign has supported or persuaded almost 40,000 young people in NSW to quit vaping.
Meanwhile, the latest seizure data suggests a severe disruption to product availability following the introduction of laws stopping vapes at the border.
New Pave app to support quitting vaping
The new Pave app being launched today will provide users with helpful tips, motivation, tracking tools, distractions for when cravings hit, as well as activities and information to navigate common barriers to quitting vaping.
It provides a daily check-in feature supporting users to reflect on their progress and a click-to-call function to connect with Quitline counsellors.
The app was developed by the Cancer Institute NSW, and designed together with young people who vape or had recently quit vaping.
Their experiences informed the content and user interface of the app.
It's free and available to download on iOS and Android.
Campaign supports or persuades 40,000 to quit
In January 2024, we launched the 'Every vape is a hit to your health' behaviour change campaign to reduce the health impact of vaping among 14 to 24 year olds in NSW - the campaign running across TV, public transport and social media.
The campaign connects young people to information about vaping and quit support, including telephone support through the Quitline, general practitioners and now digital apps such as Pave.
New research shows the campaign motivated 24,000 young people in NSW to quit vaping, and persuaded a further 15,000 to consider quitting.
Research also shows that 80 per cent of young Aboriginal people who vape felt motivated to try to quit after being exposed to the campaign.
The campaign is now entering a new phase which will highlight the health harms of vaping including nicotine addiction, lung damage, breathlessness, nicotine poisoning and burns from exploding vapes.
These health materials are available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Nepali and Arabic, and can be accessed here.
Tens of thousands of illegal products removed from community
Between 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024, over 47,000 vaping products were seized from 300 inspections.
This is compared to the same period the previous year, when just under 80,000 vaping products were seized from 238 inspections.
Despite the higher number of inspections, the lower number of products seized is likely the result of the disruption in product availability in the market following the introduction of the commonwealth vaping laws.
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Ryan Park:
"I am very concerned about the prevalence of illegal vapes in our community.
"In particular, I'm worried about the impacts it will have on the community's health, and ultimately, our health system, long into the future.
"This is a once-in-a-generation moment to prevent a ticking timebomb in public health.
"Our efforts against vaping cannot be solely about enforcement - we've got to persuade young people to take ownership of their health, as well as clean our streets of illegal products.
"I am encouraged by our efforts to create awareness among young people of the dangers of vaping, as well as to instil in them a desire to say no, or to quit.
"What I'm determined to see as minister is the requisite supports to help them do it."
Quotes attributable to Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O'Brien AM
"It's encouraging to see that tens of thousands of young people are trying to quit vaping or thinking about doing so.
But vaping remains a significant public health issue and the new Pave app is another option we can provide to encourage young people to seek help and stay on track on their quit journey.
"Vaping can cause significant health harms and can be highly addictive.
"Like cigarettes, vapes are also full of harmful chemicals that have been known to cause cancer and there is growing evidence that young people who vape are more likely to take up smoking, which can significantly increase their cancer risk."
"It's important that people avoid taking up vaping or seek help to quit. While quitting can be hard, with support, taking that first step can be life changing."
Quotes attributable to former vaper Jillie Clarke
"The craziest thing about vaping is that I genuinely don't believe anyone wants to be a vaper.
"I didn't realise I was addicted until I tried to quit and I couldn't.
"But quitting vaping is 100 per cent possible, it's a journey but every step is progress and you can do it.
"Vaping had a noticeable impact on my breathing, it felt like my lungs were working harder than they used to and I ended up getting really sick with a lung infection.
"What was really scary for me was learning that the impacts of vaping go beyond respiratory issues, with other damage not being felt until it's too late - I didn't want to risk getting to that stage."
