Vaping Prevention Project

Barwon South West

The Issue

Vaping has risen sharply across the Barwon South West (BSW) region, particularly among young people who have never smoked. In 2023, consultation led by Barwon Health Healthy Communities (BHHC) confirmed that schools and families were increasingly concerned and felt they could not address the issue in isolation.

National research, including Generation Vape by Cancer Council NSW, highlights that youth vaping rates are high with reports indicating around one in three young people have tried vaping and that products are easily accessible.

Victorian data further reinforced the urgency. The Cancer Council Victoria report Prevalence of e-cigarette use among priority groups and by region of Victoria (Victorian Smoking and Health Surveys 2018–19 and 2022) found that vaping prevalence has at least doubled in the Western Victoria PHN region. The report identified higher daily use among people receiving mental health treatment, those living in lower socioeconomic areas, and LGBTIQ+ communities.

Additional guidance from VicHealth through Influencing Gen Vape 2024 provided further evidence to inform targeted prevention strategies, particularly in areas identified through SEIFA disadvantage indicators.

Local youth advocacy highlighted vaping as an ongoing and growing concern, reinforcing the need for coordinated prevention, clearer education, and better support for young people experiencing nicotine dependence.

Together, community consultation and contemporary public health evidence made it clear that a coordinated, evidence-based response was required. One that strengthens awareness of harms, builds young people’s capacity to say no to vaping, better management of addiction and targets support to communities experiencing higher vulnerability.

The Project

In response to the growing impact of vaping on young people, a coordinated regional prevention initiative was established across the Barwon South West.

Vapes and vaping products are often designed and marketed to appeal to young people. Many are mislabelled or packaged in ways that disguise their nicotine content. Despite being promoted as low-risk, vaping is associated with significant health concerns, including increased likelihood of smoking, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, and respiratory issues.

In 2024, VicHealth launched Vape Free Victoria, a statewide initiative bringing together local councils, universities, sporting organisations, Quit Victoria, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, and the Victorian Government to educate young people about the harms of vaping and empower them to say no.

Through this initiative, the City of Greater Geelong received a $200,000 VicHealth Vaping Prevention Grant to lead the Barwon South West Vaping Prevention Coalition (BSWVPC). The coalition partnered with the Barwon South West Public Health Unit, local councils, health services and community organisations across Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Surf Coast, Corangamite, Warrnambool and Glenelg Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The project adopted a place-based approach, ensuring activities were community-informed and co-designed with young people. Across the region, education, creativity and community engagement were combined to amplify prevention messages in schools and public spaces. More than 20 schools and community organisations contributed to educational workshops, creative campaigns and youth-led projects tailored to local needs.

The coalition focused on three key goals:

Increasing awareness of the harms of vaping and strengthening young people’s capacity to reject it
Empowering young people to make informed choices
Strengthening community capacity to respond to vaping

BATForce supported delivery across the region by facilitating workshops for young people, parents and professionals, building co-design capability among coalition partners, and hosting project information and resources online.

This collaborative, evidence-based approach ensured the work was relevant, impactful, youth-informed and locally grounded. It also created lasting tools, partnerships and networks that continue to support young people across the region.

The Reponse

This three-minute film highlights the depth of collaboration across the region and the significant contribution of young people throughout the project. Young participants feature in the video to explain the project, showcase the resources and campaigns they co-designed, and share their lived experiences of vaping within their local communities.

To watch the full 20-minute version, click here.

Play Video

Each LGA delivered locally tailored initiatives shaped by their young people and community consultation. Select a LGA below to explore their local projects and developed resources.

City of Greater Geelong