The introduction of and rapid increase in vape use risks undermining significant progress Australia has made over decades in tobacco control. Victorian research data reflects national trends, highlighting increasing vape use among teenagers. The latest Australian Secondary Schools Alcohol and Drug Survey shows over a quarter (27%) of Victorian school students had ever vaped in 2022-23, a significant increase compared to 2014 and 2017 (14%). Evidence also shows one in five Victorian students who had never smoked before trying a vape reported later smoking. These trends highlight the importance of health education that increases knowledge and develops critical thinking skills, protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies, which cannot occur through a one-off information session. 

Quit Victoria, in collaboration with Victorian education sector experts, has developed Seeing Through the Haze, a free, curriculum-aligned, evidence-based vaping education resource suite for upper primary and secondary school students. These resources are designed to build student health literacy by examining vaping harms and the influence of industry marketing tactics, together with harnessing youth voice and action to design a public health campaign in partnership with local and school communities.  

This session will explore how Seeing Through the Haze integrates critical thinking, contemporary health issues and inquiry-based learning to build, practice and consolidate student knowledge and skills. We will also showcase complementary youth-focused prevention and cessation initiatives developed by Quit Victoria to support schools in addressing this evolving health challenge.