Health

Vaping and smoking

Parents, carers, schools and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.

The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping. The resources include advice about how to talk to children and young people about vaping and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

Did You Know?

The Tobacco Act 1987 (the Tobacco Act) bans smoking and vaping on school premises or within 4 metres of any pedestrian access point to school premises. 

It is illegal for any person:

• to sell, barter or exchange any type of tobacco or e-cigarette product to a person under 18 years of age
• to smoke or vape in a motor vehicle if a person under 18 years is also present in the motor vehicle.