V-TAG Action Group
The Western Public Health Unit Catchment Vaping and Tobacco Action Group (V-TAG) aims to prevent and de-normalise the use of e-cigarettes and reduce vaping and tobacco related harm in Melbourne’s central and western suburbs.
Population Health
Vaping and tobacco related harm
Vaping and tobacco-related harm are a re-emerging population health issue. While smoking rates have substantially reduced in recent decades, growth in e-cigarette use (commonly known as vaping) presents a significant challenge, particularly among adolescents and young people.
The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) has identified reducing vaping and tobacco-related harm as one of three population health priorities for our catchment, as outlined in our Population Health Catchment Plan. Six of eight local governments in the WPHU catchment have reducing vaping as a health priority for their work.
To support local level action, we have established the WPHU Catchment Vaping and Tobacco Action Group (V-TAG), a collective of stakeholders from local government, community health, health services, not for profits and other sectors, working to reduce vaping and tobacco-related harm in Melbourne’s central and western suburbs. For more information on V-TAG, click here.
Together with our catchment partners, we are working to prevent and de-normalise the use of e-cigarettes and reduce vaping and tobacco-related harm across our catchment.
Focus areas
Our work links existing organisations together to share ideas, resources and programs allowing collaboration and collective action for all parts of the system to reduce vaping and tobacco related harm. It is guided by two identified focus areas:
1.
Creating smoke-free and vape-free environments.
2.
Empowering communities.
Current initiatives
Out and About Project: Snapshot of e-cigarette accessibility in Brimbank
The Western Public Health Unit’s ‘Out and About Project: Snapshot of e-cigarette accessibility in Brimbank‘ investigation set out to map the number, type and location of retailers selling e-cigarettes in the City of Brimbank. We identified 59 retailers across the City of Brimbank selling e-cigarettes. To read more, visit: Investigation into the accessibility of non-prescription e-cigarettes in Melbourne’s west.
‘No smoking or vaping’ signage
Under the Tobacco Act 1987, it is prohibited to vape (use an e-cigarette) in a smoke-free area. ‘No smoking or vaping’ signage is now available.
The Act currently only requires ‘No smoking’ signage, so the use of ‘No smoking or vaping’ signage is voluntary.
To help de-normalise vaping and reduce people’s exposure to vape aerosol, WPHU is working in collaboration with partners to update signage in key settings including sports settings and health services.
Visit the Victorian Department of Health website for more information about ‘No smoking or vaping’ signage.
If you are interested in updating signage and being involved in this project, get in touch via wphu@wphu.org.au for the attention of the Population Health Promotion Team.
Community voice
WPHU’s catchment population is rich in culture and diversity. To enable us to deliver responsive initiatives that meet the needs of our communities, WPHU will be capturing the ‘hidden voices’ of people in our community – those who are not usually represented in traditional data surveys.
Most importantly, this emerging information will be used to inform and tailor the interventions and how they are designed and evaluated to ensure the needs and voice of all people are heard.
Resources
- Quit – Get the vaping facts – Parents, carers and young people can access the facts on vaping by visiting Quit’s Get the facts on vaping online hub.
- Quitline – Quitline is a free, safe and confidential support service that can provide advice and support for any parent or young person with concerns about vaping or smoking. For confidential, non-judgmental support to stop vaping or smoking, reach out to qualified Quitline counsellors by calling 13 7848, or online at quit.org.au. Aboriginal and youth Quitline counsellors are available, along with translation services and the option to request a call back at a time that works for you. You can also speak with your GP.
- ‘See through the haze’ campaign by Quit – campaign to raise awareness of the chemicals found in e-cigarettes. Campaign assets are available in Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Mandarin and Vietnamese.
- Tobacco in Australia – A comprehensive online evidence hub developed by Cancer Council Victoria. Chapter 18 focuses on e-cigarettes.
WPHU's work in reducing vaping and tobacco-related harm
Audit of no smoking/vaping signage in council-owned facilities
The Western Public Health Unit has partnered with Maribyrnong City Council to understand current no smoking/vaping signage displayed in council-owned or managed sport and recreation settings in the City of Maribyrnong.