Canberra: The Australian Federal Government has launched a comprehensive new anti-smoking initiative focused on helping millions of Australians quit vaping. Health Minister Mark Butler introduced the $63.4 million "Give Up for Good" campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the health risks associated with smoking and vaping, as reported by 9News Australia.

The campaign will utilize a range of platforms, including TikTok, gaming sites, and other digital media, to communicate the dangers of vaping, particularly to younger audiences. Recent data from 2022-23 revealed that one in six high school students had recently used e-cigarettes, a rate that is four times higher than it was five years ago. In 2022, approximately 3.3 million Australians reported that they either smoked or vaped.

One of the campaign's initial advertisements portrays teenagers in typical vaping scenarios, such as at school, with friends, or alone. The ad poses the question to viewers: "Why are we still doing this?"

"Nicotine is highly addictive, and what begins as an occasional habit can quickly escalate into something much more serious," Minister Butler stated. "However, it's never too late to quit."

Minister Butler also underscored the crucial role of lawmakers in safeguarding the health of young Australians. "The ideal time to address this issue would have been five years ago, but the next best time is now," he added.

In tandem with the awareness campaign, the government is expanding support services for individuals trying to quit smoking or vaping. This includes increased funding for Quitline services, the development of an online cessation hub, and updates to the My QuitBuddy app.

Rachael Andersen, Quit Director, emphasized the campaign's commitment to supporting those who are targeted by the tobacco industry. "Our new digital hub will evolve to meet the needs of young people, who are the primary targets of Big Tobacco's efforts to hook a new generation on nicotine.

We want everyone to know they're not alone in their journey to quit. Quit services are inclusive, culturally safe, non-judgmental, and free. Whether it's your first time trying to quit or your tenth, we're here to help," Andersen stated.

The campaign's advertisements will be broadcast across various media, including television, social media, radio, and cinemas, and will run until December 2024.