The Victorian Government has launched a $2-million joint initiative to educate young people of the harms of vaping.

Led by VicHealth – in partnership with 30 local councils and advocacy organisation UNCLOUD – the program’s aim is to develop workshops and community events for 14-25-year-olds to help them quit vaping. A peer-to-peer digital platform will also be created.

“This initiative is about giving young people the tools to warn each other about vaping through real, authentic stories because we know the best way to reach young people is through other young people,” VicHealth health promotion systems executive manager Michelle Murray said.

The two-year project will involve more than five universities – the University of Melbourne, Federation University,  Monash University, Deakin University, and Swinburn University of Technology – to establish anti-vaping advocates and offer education and onsite training to staff.

Sporting bodies and teams – including Swimming Victoria, Athletics Victoria, Hockey Club Melbourne, Melbourne Vipers, and Deakin Melbourne Boomers – will also share and promote the UNCLOUD website at sporting events, youth holiday programs and across social media platforms.

As part of the program, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation will provide sporting club coaches across the state with anti-vaping education.

“We know the impacts of vaping has on our health and this initiative will allow young people to learn about the risks – empowering them to make health-led decisions,” Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.

Meantime, the Victorian Government intends to continue to work with the Commonwealth and other states and territories to implement the vaping reform bill, which will ban retail sales of vapes making them only available through pharmacies.