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Vaping and Smoking

We can help ourselves and others make more informed decisions around tobacco smoking and vaping…#whyichoose

Need help or support? In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000) for emergency services.

The #whyichoose campaign is our annual community health promotion campaign led by our youth volunteers. It shares evidence on the health effects of tobacco smoking and vaping, and information on the tools, services and resources available to help young people and their communities seek help.

Let’s get the facts…

Nicotine is a stimulant drug which is extremely addictive and is the main chemical which causes dependency/addiction on tobacco (in cigarettes and shisha/waterpipe) and vapes. Nicotine (the highly addictive drug found in tobacco and many vapes) can affect brain development in young people causing impaired attention, learning and memory. (1,3)

Zac, YAG Member

“When you find yourself struggling to quit tobacco smoking or vaping, know that there are people who have YOUR back and they are there to support you!”

Bec, Health Promotion Officer

“When seeking help with a highly addictive drug such as nicotine (which can be mighty difficult to stop) reaching out for help, to me, means reaching out to professionals and experts who know their stuff, and (as research tells us) can help.”

Take our quiz to win: put your knowledge to the test!

Take our #whyichoose quiz and increase your knowledge about the effects of vaping and smoking. The best part? You can go into the draw to win a $150 Ultimate Gift Card. (T&Cs apply)

Take the quiz now

Did you know?

Vapes are often unregulated and mislabelled. Research has shown that many vapes/e-liquids that do not list nicotine as an ingredient actually do contain nicotine. Vapes also contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals. (4)

While research around the health effects of vaping is still emerging, vaping is known to cause a diverse range of effects, which can include shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain and addiction. (1,2)

There is also conclusive evidence to show that vaping can sometimes cause more extreme effects, such as lung injury, poisoning, burns from inhalation or in some cases, seizures. (2)

Many studies have also proven that vapes have not been useful in helping people quit smoking cigarettes and in fact could increase a person’s chances of taking up tobacco smoking. (1)

#whyichoose: a guide for increasing knowledge and preventing harm

When quitting/cutting back vaping and/or smoking, people are likely to experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which can include restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, anxiety and weight gain.

Download the guide to learn some more facts about vaping and smoking and where to seek support if you want to quit, cut back or manage these symptoms.

Download Fact Guide

Anita, YAG Member

“It may be hard to know where to start when looking for ways to quit smoking/vaping. Seek professional help by contacting your GP or accessing health services like Youth Solutions.”

Anastasia, YAG Member

“The Youth Solutions team and other organisations are well equipped to help and point you in the right direction, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We understand the different challenges to seeking help and quitting smoking, but please know that people do care and want to help.”

Bri, Administration, Marketing & Events Officer

“Be a positive influence. Encourage your mates to seek support and resources about quitting.”

Want to make safer decisions around tobacco smoking or vaping?

Safer decisions around tobacco smoking or vaping could be:

  • Deciding not to smoke or vape
  • Quitting smoking and/or vaping
  • Cutting back
  • Seeking support to quit or cut back
  • Stepping away from your friends and family when you smoke a cigarette or vape
  • Having a smoke and vape free study, work and home environment

Want to find out more?

If you have any questions about tobacco smoking and/or vaping, contact the Youth Solutions team today!

Contact us

Campaign partner: Ingleburn RSL Club

The #whyichoose campaign would not be possible without the support of our partner, Ingleburn RSL Club.

Youth Solutions extends its sincere thanks to the team at Ingleburn RSL Club for its ongoing support of Youth Solutions and the young people in our community.

Download the Competition Terms & Conditions for our #whyichoose quiz on our Disclaimer page.

Support services

There are a range of support services available that can help if someone is wanting information or help quitting tobacco smoking and/or vaping.

Need to chat through the information and options with someone? Our team can assist with providing information, brief advice and referral. Connect with us today: 02 4628 2319, info@youthsolutions.com.au or message us on InstagramTikTok or Facebook.

Check out the Support section of our website for a full list of services, including resources in languages other than English.

Tobacco Quitline

13 78 48

The Tobacco Quitline can provide you with quitting information, coping with withdrawals and cravings and referral information. Aboriginal Quitline counsellors are available, just ask when you call. Professional support is also available in languages other than English.

More info
Quit Now: My QuitBuddy

My QuitBuddy helps you get, and stay, smoke free. It's with you through the hardest times with helpful tips and distractions to overcome cravings; tracking systems to chart your progress and all the facts you need to understand the impact smoking has on your health.

Download now
I Can Quit

Join an online community with helpful tips to overcome cravings and to read the experiences and success stories of others.

More info

References

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council, 2017, NHMRC Submission (167) to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the use and marketing of electronic cigarettes in Australia, accessed 13 March 2023, via: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Sport/ElectronicCigarettes/Submissions.
  2. Banks E, Yazidjoglou A, Brown S, Nguyen M, Martin M, Beckwith K, Daluwatta A, Campbell S, Joshy G. 2022, Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: systematic review of global evidence. Report for the Australian Department of Health. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Canberra: April 2022.
  3. Shisha No Thanks n.d., Waterpipe Smoking Factsheet for Young People, accessed 13 March 2023, via: http://shishanothanks.org.au/resources/.
  4. Chivers E, Janka M, Franklin P, Mullins B, Larcombe A. 2019, Nicotine and other potentially harmful compounds in “nicotine‐free” e‐cigarette liquids in Australia. Medical journal of Australia. 210(3):127-8.
  5. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 2018, What is EVALI?, accessed 13 March 2023, via: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/what-is-evali.
  6. The President and Fellows of Harvard College 2020, EVALI: New information on vaping-induced lung injury, accessed 13 March 2023, via: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/evali-new-information-on-vaping-induced-lung-injury-2020040319359.
  7. Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Health and Aged Care, 2019, Smoking and tobacco and children, accessed 13 March 2023, via: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-and-tobacco/smoking-and-tobacco-throughout-life/smoking-and-tobacco-and-children.

Other things that might interest you…

Youth Advisory Group

Interested in learning about our Youth Advisory Group (YAG), the volunteers behind this campaign?

Find out more

Find Support Now

Need some help but not sure where to turn? We can help. Connect with us or visit the Find Support Now page.

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