Young people in Corangamite Shire can help each other resist addiction and lung damage caused by vaping.
"Vaping isn't a safer way to smoke. You can get hooked and damage your health a lot quicker than you might expect," Corangamite Shire Youth and Grants Officer Philip Michelmore said.
"That's why Council - in partnership with City of Greater Geelong Vaping Prevention Program and the South West Barwon Public Health Unit - is working with Timboon District Health Service (TDHS) to keep our young people from getting sucked in because they don't know any better.
TDHS will run workshops in schools across the Shire where young people can design a campaign to share the message "quit or don't start" message with their peers.
The workshops are part of Vape-Free Victoria – a new $2m initiative to help support 14 to 25-year-olds understand the harms of vaping.
Corangamite has joined 40 other councils, universities, sporting bodies and teams, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Quit Victoria and the State Government in the program.
VicHealth Executive Manager Health Promotion Systems Michelle Murray said the project would 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."
Delivered by VicHealth, Vape-Free Victoria will see councils, universities, sporting bodies and teams, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Quit Victoria and the State Government support 14 to 25 -year-olds understand the harms of vaping.
