Young Gippslanders leading the charge on no vapes

Young Gippslanders are taking the lead to support their peers to ditch vapes in a new campaign that shares real, unfiltered experiences of vaping harms.

No Filter: Real Stories Gippsland is a youth-led campaign aiming to make anti-vaping messages relatable to young people living in Gippsland.

So far, 28 young people from Gippsland have been involved in a co-design process creating relatable, evidence-informed, anti-vaping messages that are grounded in local experiences.

Traralgon teen Darcy Stockdale is adding his voice after having seen the effects of vaping on his family and close friends.

Darcy said traditional anti-smoking messaging were not cutting through with young people.

“Traditional messaging has just been disengaging young people from the discussion. We’ve heard that young people want to see other young people talking about these issues,” the 19-year-old said.

“Most of my friends vape, even if they do it socially.

“This started to affect me, even though I don’t partake in the habit. Many people don’t understand the effects of second-hand vaping in low-ventilation areas.”

Feedback from other young people has revealed they feel “talked down to” in vaping discussions, and they want “more conversations, fewer lectures”.

Gippsland has the highest regional rate of smoking in Victoria at 16.5 per cent, which is also higher than the state’s average. Vaping is a growing public health issue, particularly in young people.

The campaign was developed with participants working alongside creative agency YLAB to produce social marketing material.

It will be rolled out through social media and community networks in late November, coupled with a showcase event in Traralgon featuring a panel discussion with participants and partners.

No Filter: Real Stories Gippsland is part of VicHealth’s state-wide Collective Impact initiative, which supports councils, health organisations, schools and community partners to meet young people where they are, with information about vaping harms.

It was funded through a VicHealth Vaping Prevention Grant and delivered in partnership with Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland, South Gippsland and Wellington shire councils, Latrobe City Council and Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU).

GRPHU Acting Prevention and Population Health Manager Nilay Kocaali said this project demonstrates the power of partnerships in public health.

“This campaign shows what’s possible when Gippsland works together,” Ms Kocaali said.

“By taking a place-based approach, we’ve been able to draw on the strengths and stories of our own communities to create something that truly resonates with young people across the region.”