By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Students from Ferny Creek Primary School have taken the lead in the fight against vaping, after learning about the dangers of e-cigarettes through an anti-vaping project.
Recent studies show that around 14 per cent of Australian teens aged 12 to 17 have tried vaping, and the number continues to rise.
Armed with this new knowledge, the Ferny Creek students began working on their own awareness campaigns.
They created posters and presentations aimed at spreading the message to their peers about the dangers of vaping.
“In the first session, we learned what’s inside vapes. Some chemicals include nail polish, rat poison, and nicotine,”
Other students shared their creative ideas for how to resist the pressure to vape. Will, also in Grade 5, suggested, “You can say things like, ‘My mum would kill me,’ or ‘I have asthma.’”
Jade, a Grade 6 student, added, “We learned that vape sellers make them look cool by using bright colours and flavours that kids like.”
Students also discussed how vaping is promoted through social media and peer pressure, with many young people believing vaping might help with stress.
A Grade 6 student, Jude said vapes are marketed using hashtags and ads to make them look fun and harmless.
“But it’s important for us to understand that they’re not safe.”
The projects created by Ferny Creek Primary students, along with similar work from other schools, will be displayed at the Belgrave Hub starting Wednesday 20 November.
The exhibition gives the local community a chance to see and support the students’ efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of vaping.
Abbie, a Grade 6 student, shared her thoughts after the workshops: “We’ve been learning about why you shouldn’t vape, what vaping does to your body, and why it’s important to say no.”
Vaping can cause serious health risks such as lung damage, addiction, and mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
In response to this growing issue, the Inspiro Health Promotion Team, in partnership with Eastern Health, has been running an anti-vaping project across several local schools, including Ferny Creek, Launching Place Primary, and Lilydale High.
The project focuses on educating students about the harmful effects of vaping and giving them the tools to make healthier choices.
Students at Ferny Creek Primary School recently took part in a series of workshops designed to teach them about the risks of vaping.
These sessions covered important topics such as the chemicals found in vapes, the negative impact on mental health, and how e-cigarettes are marketed to young people. Students were also encouraged to think critically about the social pressures and misconceptions surrounding vaping.
The students at Ferny Creek Primary have become leaders in spreading the message that vaping is harmful, and their hard work is helping to create a ripple effect throughout the community.
By sharing what they’ve learned, these students hope to inspire other young people to think twice before picking up a vape.
This anti-vaping initiative is just one example of how young people can make a difference in their communities. With the support of their teachers and local health teams, these students are leading the way in the fight against vaping, helping to protect the health of their peers and future generations.
