Smoking and Vaping Ban

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to support public health objectives and ensure there is no smoking or use of e-cigarettes (vaping) on school premises (buildings and grounds), within 4 metres of school entrances or at school sanctioned events held off-premises.

Summary

• In Victoria, a person must not smoke or vape on school premises or within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises.
• The prohibition on smoking includes vaping and applies whether or not the e-cigarette contains nicotine, or is prescribed for therapeutic use.
• Cigarettes and e-cigarettes cannot be sold to people under 18 years of age.
• It is a legislative requirement that schools must display suitable ‘No Smoking’ signs at all pedestrian access points (entrances) to the school grounds – ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ signs also meet this requirement.
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted during school events and excursions held off school premises.
• Use or possession of an e-cigarette does not fall under any of the specific grounds for suspension of a student listed in Ministerial Order 1125.
• Schools can refer to the Guidance tab for further information on managing vaping.

Details

Smoking and vaping ban

A person must not smoke cigarettes, including e-cigarettes (regardless of whether they contain nicotine or are prescribed for therapeutic use) within school premises and within 4 metres of any pedestrian access to school premises. Smoking in these places is a fineable offence. The smoking and vaping ban applies to:

• anyone present on school premises during and outside of school hours including students, teachers, contractors, parents or carers or the wider community, such as sporting groups
• all activities that take place on school premises including pre-schools, kindergartens, outside school hours care, cultural, sporting or recreational activities and school fetes.

The department also bans smoking and vaping at school events and excursions held off school premises.

The Department of Health website has further advice, factsheets and diagrams to help schools define premises and pedestrian access points where smoking and vaping is banned.

‘No Smoking’ signage requirement

Schools must:

• display ‘No Smoking’ signs at each pedestrian access point to the school premises – ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ signs also meet this legislative requirement
• display the signs in such a prominent position at each entrance to make it clear that the area at or within 4 metres of that entrance is a smoke and vape-free area.

To obtain school signage that is compliant with legislation, refer to the Guidance tab.

Other actions

Principals or their delegate must ensure that the whole school community is aware that smoking and vaping are not permitted on school premises and within 4 metres of school entrances. This may be achieved through the signage required at each entrance. If further measures are required (due to non-compliance), notices in the school newsletter, on the school website and direct communication with specific staff, students, parents/carers or visitors who are non-compliant may be required.

It is recommended that principals or their delegate:

• remind the school community that smoking and vaping are not permitted at school-sanctioned events held off school premises
• where relevant remind staff that a person must not smoke or vape in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 years is also present in the motor vehicle
• encourage department employees who require support to comply with the ban to:
  • contact Quitline (calling 13 78 48, texting or requesting callback, online webchat, My QuitBuddy app) – Quitline is a friendly, confidential service with trained counsellors who provide practical advice tailored for each person
  • contact their general practitioner (GP)
  • use the Employee Wellbeing Support Services on 1300 291 071 or online via the Converge International Portal – offers specialist advice to support positive lifestyle changes
• make tobacco and vaping education, information and staff training available to support students not to smoke or vape – refer to the Guidance and Resources tab.

Resources and school supports

The Guidance tab contains information and advice to support schools to prevent and manage student vaping in schools.

The Resources tab contains links and materials to assist schools, parents/carers and the whole school community to talk to children and young people about the dangers of smoking and vaping, and support young people who do smoke and/or vape to stop. Template wording is also available to assist schools in sharing information about smoking and vaping with parents and carers through their school communication channels (for example, their school newsletter).

School and area-based health, wellbeing and inclusion workforces can also assist with providing support to students who smoke or vape. These include:

• Doctors in Secondary School Program
• Secondary School Nursing Program
• Student Support Services Program
• Mental Health Practitioners in Schools
• Primary Welfare Officers
• Koorie Engagement Support Officers.

Definitions

Electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are electronic devices which heat and vaporise liquids that may or may not contain nicotine or flavouring agents. The vapour is inhaled, simulating the act of smoking. Use of e-cigarettes is commonly referred to as ‘vaping’.

Related policies

• Alcohol and Other Drugs – Students
• Managing and Reporting School Incidents (including emergencies)

Relevant legislation

• Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 (Vic)
• Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic)
• Education and Training Reform Regulations 2017 (Vic)
• Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic)

E-cigarette and vaping management guidance for schools

This guidance contains the following chapters:

• Background
• Identifying vaping
• Prevention
• Supporting students to stop vaping
• Managing vaping incidents

Background

An e-cigarette (also known as a ‘vape’) is a battery-powered device that heats liquid (‘e-liquid’ or ‘juice’) into an aerosol, which is inhaled into the lungs.

In Victoria:

• all e-cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or not, can only be sold in a pharmacy
• all e-cigarettes can only be sold for the purpose of helping people to quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence
• an e-cigarette cannot be legally supplied or sold to a person aged under 18 years, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not
• persons aged under 18 years who have an e-cigarette on them for personal use cannot be criminally penalised.

Laws impose penalties for unlawful importation, manufacture, supply, commercial possession and advertisement of e-cigarettes.

Therapeutic e-cigarettes sold in Australia must comply with minimum standards about nicotine concentration, flavours and labelling. However:

• therapeutic e-cigarettes have not been assessed for their long-term quality, safety or efficacy by the national regulatory authority for medicines
• e-cigarettes that were previously sold in general retail or online settings had no quality or safety standards.

Some e-cigarettes have been marketed to young people on the claim that they do not contain nicotine. However, most e-cigarettes and vaping liquids in Australia do contain highly addictive nicotine, even if it is not stated on the label.

The e-cigarette industry has also used social media tactics to re-direct young people to online retailers and normalise nicotine dependence.

Harms

Many e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that are known causes of cancer, heart disease and lung disease.

Many e-cigarettes and e-liquids also contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Young people become more easily and rapidly addicted to nicotine than adults. Nicotine harms the way a young person’s brain grows, which may affect memory and concentration. Research from Cancer Council Victoria has found that adolescents who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes.

The role of schools

Students who vape are more likely to be less engaged at school, have lower learning and wellbeing outcomes and participate less in school activities.

A whole-of-school approach to vaping prevention and response can build wellbeing and connection that meaningfully engages students to change behaviour and promote health.

School smoking and vaping ban

The Tobacco Act 1987 (Vic) bans smoking and vaping on school premises, and within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises. This applies to anyone on school premises during and outside of school hours including students, staff and school visitors.

The department also bans smoking and vaping at school events and excursions held off school premises.

Identifying vaping

There are many different styles of e-cigarettes. They can be difficult to spot because they often resemble common school items such as highlighter pens, markers and USB drives. Some can be disposable, and some are small enough to fit into a pocket or pencil case.

For more information, refer to Quit Victoria: What do e-cigarettes look like?

The below image is an example of what some e-cigarettes may look like.

Identifying vaping at school

E-cigarettes may emit visible aerosol or ‘vapour’. They may also be detected by an unexplained scent in the air from e-cigarette liquid (or ‘juice’) flavouring. Fruit or confectionery flavours are popular, resulting in a scent that is usually sweet.

Nicotine addiction can look different from person to person. A student might be experiencing nicotine withdrawal if they:

• find it more difficult to manage emotions – for example, becoming moody, angry or sad
• find it hard to concentrate and engage
• get anxious or nervous if they can’t vape
• find reasons to frequently leave class to vape.

Some of these behaviours may also arise from other health or behavioural causes.

Prevention

Vaping prevention is best managed as part of a whole-school approach to supporting student health and wellbeing. The following strategies seek to support vaping prevention at school.

Student teaching and learning

Deliver vaping prevention in student drug and alcohol education, as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum:

• Quit Victoria has developed free secondary school teaching and learning resources that focus on vaping health and media literacy, critical thinking and promoting community health. They have also been prepared for adaptation to science, literacy, numeracy, civics and citizenship, and media arts curriculum areas
• Life Education Victoria
• Schools Mental Health Menu including alcohol and drug education – refine search by category ‘1.6 Alcohol and drug education’.

Support for staff

Support staff professional development and learning:

• Quit Victoria – Get the Facts on Vaping.

Healthy school culture

Embed and promote positive behaviours at school in a respectful and inclusive manner:

• join the Healthy Schools Achievement Program – a free program that provides a framework and resources for a whole-of-school approach to health and wellbeing, including smoking and vaping
• promote a positive school environment via:
  • the school’s student engagement policy (staff login required)
  • the school-wide positive behaviour support framework
  • programs that support student mental health and wellbeing.

Leadership and commitment

Engage student voice to inform school vaping prevention strategies such as:

• student-led research or surveys
• peer-to-peer education
• student-led local health campaigns or communications – young people respond well to peer-led behavioural change campaigns.

Refer to the Student Voice, Agency and Leadership policy for more information.

Family and community partnerships

Support and promote parents and carers to talk about vaping with their children. Schools can use the following to support conversations with families:

• Quit Victoria and VicHealth Get the facts on vaping
• VicHealth Talking to your teen about vaping
• Better Health Channel
• Royal Children’s Hospital
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation
• The department’s Smoking and vaping: advice for parents factsheet (DOCX).

Contact local partners, such as Local Public Health Units, local council, or community health services, who may be able to support whole-school approaches.

Supporting students to stop vaping

Student self-referral and help seeking behaviour

Students may hesitate to seek help due to worry about consequences at school, among peers and at home.

It is recommended that schools tell students that they will be supported to stop vaping and will not be punished if they approach school staff for help. This prioritises health and wellbeing support ahead of punitive approaches.

Good practice engages student voice to design what an accessible help seeking approach might look like at school. Refer to the Student Voice, Agency and Leadership policy for more information.

Informing students of help available

It is recommended that schools:

• frame vaping as a health and wellbeing concern, rather than a behavioural or disciplinary problem
• assure students that they will not be punished by the school for asking for help, and will be supported
• communicate to students about how to seek help inside and outside of school, such as Quitline (calling 13 78 48, texting or requesting callback, online webchat, My QuitBuddy app)
• display clear and visible information for students about help-seeking options.

Refer to Managing vaping incidents for more advice on appropriate referrals and supports.

Supporting student autonomy, safety and privacy

It is recommended that schools:

• provide counselling spaces that are discreet and comfortable for students
• support student self-referral or self-booking to Student Wellbeing supports (for example, a confidential form, online booking system available to all students, or by providing information about how students can self-refer) without needing sign-off from teachers, parents or carers to seek help. Once students have referred themselves, schools will then need to follow their usual consent processes to deliver health and wellbeing services to students
• where possible, encourage and offer support to students to tell parents/carers and include family in any plan to stop vaping
• assure students that their privacy concerns will be managed on a 'need to know' basis with school staff to support the student’s health and wellbeing, consistent with the department’s Privacy and Information Sharing policy.

Managing cravings in the classroom

Nicotine dependence is a health issue. Schools may need to support in-class behavioural and engagement strategies for students who are stopping vaping. This may require coordination between health and wellbeing staff and teachers.

For most people, nicotine withdrawal symptoms fade over time (with symptoms particularly intense in the first 24 to 72 hours) and generally dissipate over 2 to 4 weeks. Royal Children’s Hospital has more information about nicotine withdrawal.

Quit Victoria offers advice for managing cravings. Schools can plan with students and implement appropriate in-class strategies to support them. Some strategies might include students:

• letting staff know they are having a craving
• pausing to close their eyes or breathe deeply
• keeping hands busy, such as using a stress ball or fidget spinner, or picking up a pen to start drawing or writing
• getting a book or activity to briefly occupy themselves
• having a drink of water.

Nicotine replacement therapy

Research is still looking at the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in persons 12 years of age or older who vape. Medical practitioners might prescribe patches, lozenges or gum where behavioural supports alone cannot control cravings or stop vaping, or where nicotine withdrawal are significantly disruptive and severe.

Refer to the Health Care Needs and Medication policies to support students who are prescribed nicotine replacement therapy by a medical practitioner.

In Victoria, a registered pharmacist cannot supply an e-cigarette device to a person under 18 years of age, even if they have a prescription.

The Department of Health website has further advice about regulation of e-cigarette products.

Managing vaping incidents

Schools can refer to the below procedures to follow when students are vaping on school sites or at school activities. These are consistent with the department’s Alcohol and Other Drugs – Students policy.

Respond to an emergency

When responding to an emergency, it is important to remember that:

• e-cigarette inhalation may cause acute breathing difficulty or trigger an asthma attack
• swallowing vaping liquids may result in nicotine poisoning – symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, and feeling burning inside the mouth and throat.

In the event of any emergency – such as a very unwell student, difficulty breathing, drowsiness or loss of consciousness – call 000 for emergency medical assistance. Follow your school’s First Aid procedures and/or Emergency Management Plan.

In the event of skin or eye contact with vaping liquid, wash the site with clean running water only, and contact the Victorian Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Report incidents that cause harm to a student’s health in line with the Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies) policy.

Contain the incident and confiscate the e-cigarette

When confiscating products:

• label, and store securely for collection by the student’s parents/carers
• store them in a dry place away from sunlight and heat.

Explain to the student that smoking and vaping are banned at school, and there are behavioural expectations for students.

Schools may ask where the student has obtained their device and liquids (including online or social media), noting students are not required to disclose. Retail traders (for example, tobacconists, convenience stores) can be reported to Crime Stoppers online or on 1800 333 000.

Consider non-punitive interventions (referral to wellbeing supports) before disciplinary measures. For complex or repeated incidents, follow the department’s guidance on Managing and responding to behaviour – consequences for students.

Contact parents or carers

It is strongly recommended to contact a student’s parent or carer after a vaping incident to:

• explain the vaping incident, emphasise the ban on possession, supply or use of a vaping device at school
• request parent/carer attend the school to collect the student’s confiscated vaping product
• provide parent/carer with information about vaping (refer to resources for parents, carers and families).

For more complex or repeated incidents, schools must follow any processes set out in their local Student Wellbeing and Engagement Policy when engaging with parents/carers. Schools can also refer to Managing and responding to behaviour – consequences for students for further information.

Refer the student to school health and wellbeing supports

Student health and wellbeing staff (for example, the school nurse, wellbeing coordinator, Doctors in Secondary Schools and SSS) may explore the student’s reasons for vaping, such as stress, peer pressure, mental health, or relationships at home and school.

When speaking to students, staff are encouraged to:

• explain why the ban on vaping in schools is in place (vaping can harm student health, wellbeing and engagement, and is against the law)
• avoid lecturing or using scare tactics, and remain fact-based
• explore the student’s motivation and readiness to change their behaviour, and identity possible commitment for action.

Staff may:

• provide students with a copy of fact sheets and online information from Quit Victoria or Lung Foundation Australia, or a link to Quit Victoria – Tips to help you quit vaping
• refer students trying to quit to advice services or their general practitioner. Staff can show students how to contact a Quit Victoria counsellor, and what they can expect:
  • call 13 78 48 (Monday – Friday, 8 am to 8 pm)
  • text 'call back' to 0482 090 634 or request a call back using the online form
  • webchat at Quit Victoria
  • message on Facebook Messenger @quitvic or WhatsApp +61 385 832 920
  • use the My QuitBuddy app
  • callers can ask to speak to an Aboriginal Quitline counsellor, ask for an interpreter, and use the National Relay Service or teletypewriter service
• devise in-class strategies to manage cravings and withdrawal – refer to Managing cravings in the classroom
• offer follow up with the student as appropriate about their progress to stop, including cravings and withdrawal.

If needed, refer the student to other health, mental health and wellbeing supports or services. This may include Secondary School Nurses, Doctors in Secondary Schools, Mental Health Practitioners, or headspace.

Implement any other health, wellbeing and behaviour supports if relevant

Refer to the Health Care Needs and Medication policies to support students who are prescribed nicotine replacement therapy by a medical practitioner.

Refer to the Behaviour – Students policy for students who may need additional behavioural supports.

Suspension

Personal use or possession of an e-cigarette does not fall under any of the specific grounds in Ministerial Order 1125.

Suspension is a serious disciplinary measure. There are other grounds for suspension that principals still have the authority to use, but they must consider alternative interventions and supports.

Every effort must be made to retain students in education as they are often at greater risk of harm or disadvantage if disengaged from school.

Refer to the Suspensions policy.

Vape detectors and school-wide restrictive measures

School-wide measures such as vape detectors or locking bathrooms are not encouraged. Responses that are exclusionary, invasive or restrict all students’ rights to privacy may not be effective and reduce student and staff trust and engagement.

Vape detectors require capital and ongoing costs, may be tampered with, and will not always identify students who are vaping on school grounds. The department is not aware of any credible evidence to suggest that vape detectors in bathrooms prevent young people from vaping at school.

Restricting access to bathroom and change room facilities could give rise to health or wellbeing risks to students, including for menstruating students or those with health concerns or disabilities.

Schools must not install CCTV cameras in toilets, change rooms, dressing rooms, showers or other areas where individual privacy is paramount. Refer to the CCTV in Schools policy.

Webinars and other professional learning

Schools are encouraged to be mindful of unsolicited commercial offers, including webinars and ‘professional learning’ from external companies marketing their own vape detectors and other products.

Department policy requires all visiting speakers support the school’s educational programs and align with relevant department policies and procedures.

Schools must not engage in or promote professional learning, presentations to students, or webinars created or run by people who either work for the tobacco industry or are working to further its interests by receiving funding from the tobacco industry.

It is recommended that schools ask potential speakers to declare any conflicts of interest, including affiliation with the tobacco industry, prior to engaging them.
The tobacco industry includes tobacco manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and importers of tobacco products.

Refer to the Visitors in Schools policy for more information about appropriate visiting speakers.

Schools can request advice from health.advice@education.vic.gov.au if needed.

Search measures

A principal’s power to search for or seize harmful items under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) does not extend to e-cigarettes. Refer to the Weapons and Other Harmful Items – Banning, Searching and Seizing policy.

Students who sell e-cigarettes on school premises

It is illegal for anyone to sell e-cigarette products to people under 18 years of age, including to friends or contacts on social media.

For students selling e-cigarettes, refer to the advice within this guidance for Managing vaping incidents.

Schools are encouraged to report to the police any individuals from outside of the school community entering school premises to sell e-cigarettes and vape products.

E-cigarette disposal

Confiscated e-cigarette devices and liquids must be returned to parents and carers. It is advised to store them in a cool and dry place in an upright position to avoid leaks. Do not attempt to remove the battery from the e-cigarette.

If required to dispose of e-cigarettes, do not dispose the devices and liquids in general waste. If needed, dispose through a waste removal service that can receive lithium batteries and liquid nicotine (a poison). Schools may contact their local council’s waste management service or local police station for disposal advice.

If schools have a current contract for waste removal services (for example, battery collection), check with the contractor whether they can dispose of e-cigarettes.

Signage requirements

Schools must:

• display ‘No Smoking’ signs at each pedestrian access point to the school premises – ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ signs also meets this legislative requirement
• display the signs in such a prominent position at each entrance to make it clear that the area at or within 4 metres of that entrance is a smoke and vape-free area.

Government schools may:

• download free ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ signs through the Department of Health website – signs must be printed in colour at A4 or larger size
• order ‘No Smoking’ signs through Complete Office Supplies (COS), the State Purchasing Contract supplier – the following products and stock codes comply with legislative requirements:
  • SIGN1102 No Smoking Sign Poly 225 x 300 mm
  • SIGN1520 No Smoking Sign Poly 450 x 300 mm
  • SIGN1380 No Smoking Sign Poly 600 x 450 mm.

Resources

Communication materials for schools

• Sample newsletter text (DOCX) – schools may wish to use this text to share information about smoking and vaping with parents and carers in their school newsletter (or through any other relevant communication channel)
• Get the facts about vaping (PDF) ­– a poster for schools to illustrate facts about vaping for parents

Advice for schools and parents

• Quit Victoria and VicHealth: Get the facts on vaping – contains information for parents, carers, and influential adults to inform conversations about vaping with young people in their lives
• Quit Victoria: Start the conversation – practical tips to help speak to young people about the risks of vaping
• VicHealth: Talk to your teen about vaping – conversation guide that considers a young person’s attitude and behaviours
• Royal Children’s Hospital: e-cigarettes and teens – contains information on how to talk to teens about the health risks of using e-cigarettes, including video with paediatricians
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation: talking about vaping with young people – practical tips to help speak to young people about the risks of vaping
• Department of Education: Smoking and vaping: advice for parents – information for parents and carers about the impacts of smoking and vaping with their children

Factsheets for schools and parents

• Smoking and vaping: advice for schools (DOCX) – outlines the facts of smoking and vaping, and resources schools can access to support their school community
• Smoking and vaping: advice for parents (DOCX) – this document is tailored for parents and may be useful for them to discuss the impacts of smoking and vaping with their children

Download smoking and vaping advice for schools in different languages

The ‘Smoking and vaping: advice for schools’ document is available to download in different languages.

• Arabic (DOCX)
• Arabic (PDF)
• Dari (DOCX)
• Dari (PDF)
• Hindi (DOCX)
• Hindi (PDF)
• Karenni (DOCX)
• Karenni (PDF)
• Khmer (DOCX)
• Khmer (PDF)
• Mongolian (DOCX)
• Mongolian (PDF)
• Punjabi (DOCX)
• Punjabi (PDF)
• Samoan (DOCX)
• Samoan (PDF)
• Simplified Chinese (DOCX)
• Simplified Chinese (PDF)
• Sinhalese (DOCX)
• Sinhalese (PDF)
• Tongan (DOCX)
• Tongan (PDF)
• Traditional Chinese (DOCX)
• Traditional Chinese (PDF)
• Turkish (DOCX)
• Turkish (PDF)
• Urdu (DOCX)
• Urdu (PDF)
• Vietnamese (DOCX)
• Vietnamese (PDF)

Download smoking and vaping advice for parents in different languages

The ‘Smoking and vaping: advice for parents’ document is available to download in different languages.

• Arabic (DOCX)
• Arabic (PDF)
• Dari (DOCX)
• Dari (PDF)
• Hindi (DOCX)
• Hindi (PDF)
• Karenni (DOCX)
• Karenni (PDF)
• Khmer (DOCX)
• Khmer (PDF)
• Mongolian (DOCX)
• Mongolian (PDF)
• Punjabi (DOCX)
• Punjabi (PDF)
• Samoan (DOCX)
• Samoan (PDF)
• Simplified Chinese (DOCX)
• Simplified Chinese (PDF)
• Sinhalese (DOCX)
• Sinhalese (PDF)
• Tongan (DOCX)
• Tongan (PDF)
• Traditional Chinese (DOCX)
• Traditional Chinese (PDF)
• Turkish (DOCX)
• Turkish (PDF)
• Urdu (DOCX)
• Urdu (PDF)
• Vietnamese (DOCX)
• Vietnamese (PDF)

Teaching and learning resources

• Quit Victoria – free secondary school teaching and learning resources that focus on vaping health and media literacy, critical thinking and promoting community health. They have also been prepared for adaptation to science, literacy, numeracy, civics and citizenship, and media arts curriculum areas
• Life Education Victoria – primary school teaching and learning programs about smoking and vaping
• Lung Foundation Australia, Na Joomelah and Tackling Indigenous Smoking Program – vaping awareness resources for First Nations youth and communities
• Healthy Schools Achievement Program – provides a whole of school framework for health and wellbeing. It includes a focused health area on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
• Positive Choices – resources and drug prevention programs for schools developed by University of Sydney. Includes drug and alcohol booklets for parents, teachers and students covering e-cigarettes and vaping, an e-cigarette factsheet and webinar
• Schools Mental Health Menu – includes alcohol and drug education

Ban and signage compliance

• Department of Health: Learning environments: smoke-free and vape-free – detailed advice, factsheets and diagrams for schools to comply with the smoking and vaping ban
• Department of Health – free ‘No Smoking or Vaping’ resources to download or order, including free A3 metal signage for primary and secondary schools

Advice services

• Quitline provide advice and confidential counselling, including for children from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday – phone 13 78 48, text or request a call back or online webchat
• DirectLine is a state-wide alcohol and other drugs advice service offering confidential counselling and referral 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – phone 1800 888 236
• Youth, Drugs and Alcohol Advice provide a youth-specific advice service from 9 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday – phone 1800 458 685
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation – online chatbot
• Headspace offer mental health support online, by phone and in person through headspace centres

Other useful websites

• Australian Government: Give Up For Good – national campaign and resources for quitting smoking and vaping
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation: nicotine facts – contains information about effects of nicotine, including withdrawal
• Better Health Channel – contains information on the health effects of smoking, strategies for quitting, statistics and Victoria’s laws on smoking
• Better Health Channel: e-cigarettes – contains information on the dangers of e-cigarettes
• Better Health Channel: e-liquids – contains information the liquid used in e-cigarettes and the dangers of nicotine poisoning
• Quit Victoria – contains a summary of Australia’s vaping laws
• Royal Children’s Hospital – contains a video suitable for school staff and parents/carers on health risks of using e-cigarettes
• Uncloud – national campaign funded by the Minderoo Foundation for young people aged 14 to 25 years old