Art sculpture aims to start vape conversations

A TRAVELLING display highlighting the harmful effects of vaping is being showcased at locations across the region.

Titled What’s Really in a Vape?, the piece features seven transparent slabs that together form a vape cloud revealing the layers of chemicals in e-cigarettes, and is set to be displayed in Ballarat for the next month.

The sculpture’s local tour was launched earlier this week at Headspace on Camp Street as part of a collaboration between Ballarat Community Health and the work’s designer VicHealth.

Set to be moved to three other locations, BCH health promotion officer Jacinta Walsh said the tour grew beyond the organisation’s original scope.

“Based on what we know regarding vaping, we wanted to bring this to universities, so we partnered with Fed Uni to bring this to them during O Week, and then [Australian Catholic University] right after,” she said.

“Once word got in, we had headspace, part of the community health sector interested as well so we’re posting it here because of that youth and mental health link.

“Then Stockland got wind and because of their community responsibility leanings, they’re happy to host it. It’s expanded from unis to Headspace to community.”

The sculpture will leave headspace for Federation University today after which it will be found at ACU from Monday 4 to Friday 8 March before ending the tour at Stockland Wendouree from Saturday 9 to Monday 11 March.

Having showcased the work at other locations like Scienceworks and in West Gippsland, VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio said it’s integral the message behind the display is understood, particularly by young people.

“When I speak to schoolteachers and community leaders across Victoria, they’ve told me time and time again vaping has fast become the single biggest issue facing young people,” he said.

“Everywhere we go… we’re really welcomed in terms of partnering deeply with local leaders to get information and resources into the hands of young people and ultimately protect them.”

According to Quit Victoria, 77,200 adults statewide began vaping between 2018 to 2022 after having previously never smoked before.