Vaping is the latest smoking anomaly, typically prevalent with young people.
To raise awareness about the dangers of e-cigarettes (vapes), Scienceworks in Spotswood has constructed a sculpture in the form of a vape cloud.
The sculpture opened to the public on Wednesday, June 6, depicting the toxic chemicals found in e-cigarettes.
The installation comes in response to recent VicHealth data which highlight startling statistics.
The National E-Cigarette Awareness and Attitudes Survey, conducted in February and March, revealed only one in three young people surveyed understand what’s contained in e-cigarettes.
Less than two in five (39 per cent) of parents were aware that e-cigarettes can contain as much nicotine as 50 traditional cigarettes.
Nine in 10 parents are concerned about the popularity of vaping among children.
Less than two in five (39 per cent ) of young people know that using e-cigarettes can lodge fine metal particles deep in people’s lungs.
E-cigarettes can contain over 200 toxic chemicals, many of which are found in weed killer, bleach and paint stripper.
The sculpture visually represents 10 of these commonly recognisable toxic chemicals,making the dangers of vaping clear to children and their families.
VicHealth chief executive Dr Sandro Demaio, said the installation is an engaging way of educating families about the very real dangers of vaping.
“Families are rightly concerned about vaping and need to be armed with the facts to have critical conversations with their children,” Dr Demaio said.
“…We need to urgently educate Victorians about the dangers of vaping from a young age as they’re targeted with misinformation from the tobacco industry.”
The display aligns with the recent launch of Quit Victoria’s new online Hub ‘Get the Facts on Vaping’, providing information for adults to have conversations about the risks of vaping with young people.
The sculpture will be on display until August 3.
Details: www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/vaping, www.vapingfacts.org.au
Jennifer Pittorino
