Unpacking Vaping
in Schools Project
The Unpacking Vaping in Schools Project is a whole community approach to support the prevention and cessation of adolescent vaping in western Sydney. Driven by cross-sectoral partnerships between health and education, we seek to provide a platform for youth voice to address adolescent vaping.
How it started
In early 2021, high school principals across western Sydney raised concerns about the growing prevalence of adolescent vaping and its effects on students’ health, behaviour, and learning.
In response, we launched a multi-phased initiative shaped by the voices and needs of the school community. This approach unfolds in four key phases: understanding the issue, listening, and implementing targeted strategies in both prevention and cessation.
At the heart of our work is a whole-of-community approach that aims to empower young people to take agency over their health, resist vaping, and help foster school environments that prioritise wellbeing and support.
Phase 1: Problem
We initiated our approach by:
- Conducting a scoping review of effective prevention strategies
- Piloting the ‘Unpacking Vaping in Schools’ community consultation sessions.
- Establishing Special Interests Groups in prevention of cessation.
Phase 2: Listening
In phase 2, we engaged in extensive community consultation to inform evidence-based strategies for schools. This involved:
- The Unpacking Vaping in Schools exploratory qualitative study.
- Testing students’ confiscated vapes at the University of Wollongong.
- Consultation with Student Support Officers across NSW.
- Consultation with Healthcare Providers.
Phase 3: Actions in Prevention
Informed by the findings of our listening phase, we developed interventions to build student agency. These include:
- Vaping – Just Beat it! Animation
- Unpacking Vaping Online Course.
- Breathe Easy All Together (BEAT) peer-leadership program.
Phase 4: Cessation Support
To complement our prevention efforts, we have equipped health and education professionals with the skills to support students who are currently vaping.
We are actively seeking funding to further develop and expand these cessation support initiatives.
