Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority
In a major public health breakthrough, an Australian trial of the school-based OurFutures Vaping Prevention Education program has demonstrated real-world outcomes in preventing youth vaping.
Published in leading global health journal, The Lancet today, a randomised controlled trial involving more than 5,000 students across 40 schools found students who participated in the program were 65 per cent less likely to have used vapes after 12 months compared to those who did not do the course and 80 per cent said the information they learned will help them handle vaping situations in future.
Funded by the Albanese Government through the Medical Research Futures Fund and National Health and Medical Research Council, the trial is the first Australian school-based eHealth intervention proven to prevent vaping use in adolescents.
The program uses cartoon-based stories, quizzes, and classroom activities to engage and inform students. It was co-designed with young people and teachers to fit the national curriculum.
These positive findings come as the latest data from Generation Vape reveals that young people are vaping less and that vaping is increasingly seen as uncool and socially unacceptable among young people.
The OurFutures vaping program will be rolled out in schools across the country until 2028, with long-term follow-up data expected in 2026.
All secondary schools can register their interest to participate in the program and sign up today.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The OurFutures Vaping Prevention Education program is helping young Australians make informed choices and resist the pressures of vaping. It’s smart, scalable, and evidence shows that it works.
“This is exactly the kind of evidence-based, preventive action we need to protect the health of our kids.
“Young people are turning away from vaping. They’re seeing it for what it is –harmful, addictive, and pushed by Big Tobacco.
“That’s a testament to the power of education, community, and strong government
action.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Clare:
“Vaping is a major public health issue – and a major problem in our schools.
“Principals and teachers will tell you that vapes are causing serious behaviour problems in the classroom.
“Evidence-based programs like OurFutures will be critical to getting young people off vapes.
“On the back of these positive results, this program will now roll out more broadly to give teachers across the country the tools they need to educate young people and change behaviour when it comes to vaping.”
Quotes attributable to Our Futures Institute CEO Ken Wallace:
“Giving young people the knowledge and skills to resist Big Tobacco’s deliberately predatory tactics and make healthier choices is what world-leading public health action looks like.
“We’re proud to be offering a proven program to schools across the nation to protect our children’s future and stop a generation from suffering from deadly,
preventable health conditions.
“Rates of vaping among young people remain unacceptably high, and vaping is an established risk factor for tobacco smoking. We know there is more to do. Prevention is our best shot at breaking the cycle of addiction, before it starts.”