Tackling Indigenous Smoking & Vaping
'Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Vaping' is a statewide program based in Launceston and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. The program is part of the Australian campaign to close the gap in Indigenous health by reducing smoking and vaping rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
FLIP THE VAPE & DITCH THE DARTS: The unapologetic youth movement lands in Tasmania
After shaking things up in Victoria, a bold, youth-led anti-vaping and anti-smoking campaign is hitting Flinders Island this November, and it’s here to flip the script on what “health” looks like.
Vaping is creeping up among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, with 22% of people aged 15+ having tried vaping, and 16% of users aged 18–24. It’s a growing public health crisis, and with 37% of all First Nations deaths caused by smoking (plus the recent discovery of vapes laced with dangerous synthetic opioids), the stakes have never been higher.
That’s why Flip the Vape, Ditch the Darts comes in.
After making a big splash in Victoria, the trailblazing Flip the Vape, Ditch the Darts campaign is arriving in Tasmania. With vaping on the rise among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, and the long-term health risks clear, the campaign will skip the usual lectures, scare tactics, and fear-based language found in traditional public health campaigns, in favour of bold, positive, and empowering messaging. Ten Indigenous ambassadors act as the beating heart of the campaign, which will be showcased on social media, websites, billboards, street posters, and bus advertising. Funded by Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Inc. and created by creative agency Mo Works, Flip the Vape, Ditch the Darts encourages young people to ‘Be a quitter’, ‘Breathe easy’ and ‘Join the flipping movement’.
A bus side showing the 'Flip the Vape - Ditch the Darts' public health campaign.
No Smokes, No Limits Campaign
Flinders Island Aboriginal Association’s 'Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Vaping Program' has launched its ‘No Smokes No Limits’ public health campaign featuring motocross imagery and Aboriginal ambassadors Jay and Josh Woolley from WSM Freestyle.
As part of this campaign, young people are encouraged to never take up smoking, and smokers are encouraged to contact their local health service, general practice or the Quitline for assistance in giving up the habit.
This campaign seeks to denormalise smoking, and is in stark contrast to some of the messaging typically associated with extreme sports that are often sponsored by energy drinks or other consumables associated with poor health outcomes. The call to action reinforces the idea that to be the best you can be, there is no room for smokes.
FIAAI CEO Maxine Roughley said, “This program especially targets young people who are our future, and we are proud to be supporting such an important health issue.”
A bus side showing Ambassador, MX rider Josh Woolley, proudly supporting the 'No Smokes, No Limits' public health campaign.
"No Smokes, No Limits" TV Commercials
Georgie
Sheldon
Our Stories
Smoking affects the whole community, but each person has their own story of how it has affected their life. These stories show how our ambassadors decided they wouldn’t let the smokes control theirs:
Contact Us
The FIAAI Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Vaping Team:
7-9 Cameron Street, Launceston, TAS 7250
ph: (03) 6334 5721
fax: (03) 6331 9769