Australia’s first national anti-vaping advertising campaign will urge users to abandon their daily habits through a set of disturbing new ads warning users that vaping addiction can “sneak up on us”.
On Monday, the federal government will launch a $63.4 million advertising campaign aimed at curbing vaping and tobacco use as it prepares for a nationwide ban on non-therapeutic vaping products.
The country’s first anti-vaping advert for adults, which will air in cinemas and television screens, shows a man sitting with his friends in a pub, a man playing with his son and a woman chatting to a colleague who is later removed . away by an invisible force: his vaporizer.
The new advertising blitz (pictured) is the latest move by the Australian government to stop people vaping.
Another ad, which takes a simpler tone and is aimed at young people, shows teenagers in typical situations where vaping is common and asks viewers the question: “Why do we still do this?”
The new ads follow an influencer-led youth vaping campaign that launched on social media earlier this year and has since been viewed nearly 7.7 million times.
The new anti-smoking and anti-vaping ads will run on television, digital video and audio, social media, gaming, radio, cinema and out-of-home channels, including billboards, shopping malls and bus stops.
Health Minister Mark Butler said senators had a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to safeguard the health of Australians when they vote on the government’s anti-vaping legislation next month.
‘Nicotine is highly addictive and before you know it, what starts as something occasional turns into something much more serious. But it’s never too late to quit smoking,” Butler said.
The ads (pictured) will air in movie theaters and television screens and will also stream on social media and gaming platforms.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured centre) said senators have a responsibility to protect the health of Australians when they vote on the government’s anti-vaping legislation next month.
As well as launching a new public health campaign, the government will also increase funding to launch consistent national support services targeting nicotine addiction caused by vaping and smoking.
This will include the development of an online “quit smoking” center and the redevelopment of the My QuitBuddy app to provide new features and support aimed at vaping.
Parents and carers will also receive new specific resources under the plan, as well as updated clinical guidance for healthcare professionals.
The federal government is also increasing funding for support services to curb nicotine addiction, caused by vaping and smoking (pictured, new anti-smoking and anti-vaping ads coming out Monday).
Labour’s third tranche of anti-vaping legislation, due to be voted on in June, will ban the manufacturing, advertising, supply and commercial possession in the country of non-therapeutic vaporisers.
This follows laws passed in January that banned the importation of disposable vaporizers into Australia.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has not yet stated his position on the future legislation; However, among the Liberal Party’s supporters of the ban is opposition health spokesperson Anne Ruston.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has said his party will not support the laws and will instead push for a regulatory model similar to that of tobacco.
The Greens have not yet announced a formal position.