New push to curb vaping on Victoria’s beaches

A NEW campaign encouraging Victorians to reject nicotine and vaping will roll out across beaches and surf communities this summer.

UNCLOUD, an initiative led by Surfing Victoria and VicHealth, is a peer-to-peer program designed to help young people recognise the realities of vaping and the tactics used by tobacco and e-cigarette companies to target them.

The campaign will appear at Surfing Victoria activities – including Indigenous and multicultural programs – and at major events such as the Woorrangalook Victorian Koori Surfing Titles, the U21 State Shortboard Titles and the Victorian Teams Titles.

Surfing Victoria chief executive, Adam Robertson, said the organisation was proud to support the initiative.

“Vaping is an issue that we have seen across the state at beaches, and we are looking forward to sharing fact-based information and voices to help each other stop vaping and say no to vapes in the first place.”

VicHealth chief executive, Professor Anna Peeters, said the partnership would give young people the tools to protect themselves and others.

“We know young people who vape are three times more likely to take up smoking, and this campaign gives them the power to speak up before their friends

get hooked.

“By creating space for young voices to lead the conversation, UNCLOUD helps cut through the noise and push back against the tobacco and vaping industries trying to pull them in.”

For more information, head to uncloud.org