MENS HEALTH DOWN UNDER
ACTIVATE 108
THE MEDICAL STATION
VAPES ARE NOT HARMLESS
Vaping is not risk-free.
The Australian Government describes vaping as capable of causing serious health problems and has introduced strict controls around the sale and supply of vaping products. (Health, Disability and Ageing Australia)
Australia has taken a different regulatory approach from the UK.
Vapes can only legally be sold through pharmacies for therapeutic purposes, and non-pharmacy retail sale is illegal. Adults may, subject to conditions and state or territory laws, obtain certain lower-strength therapeutic vapes without a prescription after speaking with a pharmacist. (Health, Disability and Ageing Australia)
Higher-strength products require a prescription, and people under 18 require a prescription where state and territory laws permit access. (Health, Disability and Ageing Australia)
KNOW THE RULES BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
Don’t assume the rules are the same in Britain and Australia.
THINK BEFORE YOU SINK
A vape can look small
IF YOU HAVE STARTED, GET SUPPORT
IF YOU WANT TO QUIT, MAKE A PLAN
“NO ANTIDOTE FOR VAPES”
NO ANTIDOTE FOR NICOTINE ADDICTION. This is a campaign phrase rather than a medical claim. There isn’t a magic antidote that instantly reverses nicotine dependence. The answer is prevention, support, evidence-based cessation help and persistence. Quit Nicotine 4 Life is about changing the conversation from: “Can I have another vape?” to: “Why am I still vaping?” Then: “What would happen if I stopped?”
FOR THE UNBORN CHILD
THINK BEFORE YOU VAPE IN PREGNANCY Pregnancy requires particular care. Current NHS guidance says that vaping is less harmful than continuing to smoke cigarettes, but it is not risk-free, and there is still limited evidence about vaping during pregnancy. Licensed nicotine-replacement products such as patches and gum are recommended options for helping pregnant smokers quit. (nhs.uk) So our public-health message should never frighten pregnant women who are struggling with smoking. Instead: DON’T SMOKE. GET PROFESSIONAL HELP TO QUIT. SPEAK TO YOUR MIDWIFE, GP OR STOP-SMOKING SERVICE. Protecting the unborn child starts with helping the parent access the right support.
VOTE CHANGE
MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT Vote Change can become the public-health campaign element of Quit Nicotine 4 Life. Not party politics. A conversation about policy. Ask: What do we want our communities to look like? How do we protect children from nicotine addiction? How do we help smokers quit? How do we prevent a new generation becoming dependent on nicotine? How do we support pregnant women? How do we make cessation support accessible? How do we balance harm reduction with prevention? Public health works best when people are informed and supported.
PRESCRIBE IN THE UK?
Australia’s pharmacy-based model raises an important UK policy question: SHOULD NICOTINE VAPING PRODUCTS BE TREATED MORE LIKE THERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS? That is a policy question for evidence, clinicians, regulators, Parliament and the public. Our campaign can ask the question without pretending that the answer has already been decided. The UK’s current NHS position is that e-cigarettes can help adults stop smoking and are less harmful than smoking, but they are not risk-free. E-cigarettes are not currently available from the NHS on prescription. (nhs.uk) THINK. DISCUSS. RESEARCH. VOTE.
QUIT NICOTINE 4 LIFE
STASH THE CASH
Quitting can also change your finances.
Every vape, cigarette, pouch or other nicotine purchase costs money.
Instead of watching that money disappear:
STASH THE CASH.
Calculate your weekly spending.
Calculate your annual spending.
Then imagine what you could do with the money instead.
A holiday.
A course.
A pension.
A business.
A family day out.
An emergency fund.
Your future.
DON’T JUST QUIT THE HABIT.
CHANGE WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
TIME BANKING
YOUR TIME HAS VALUE
Quit nicotine.
Save money.
Then think about your other greatest resource:
TIME.
Time Banking encourages communities to exchange skills and practical support.
Your hour matters.
Your experience matters.
Your knowledge matters.
Your skills matter.
BANK THE HOURS.
BUILD THE COMMUNITY.
HAIR DECODE
SOPHIE GREEN
NLP & EMOTIONAL COACH
Sophie Green, from the British Green Society, brings NLP and emotional coaching into the wider programme.
Because changing an addiction isn’t only about information.
It can involve:
confidence
motivation
emotions
habits
identity
communication
resilience
and personal goals.
Emotional coaching can help people think about the change they want to make and the steps they want to take.
TRAVELLING TO OZ?
THINK BEFORE YOU SINK.
Before you pack the suitcase, pack the right information.
Know the Australian rules.
Know your nicotine use.
Know your quit options.
Know where to seek help.
And remember:
THE BEST VAPE IS THE ONE YOU NEVER NEEDED TO START.
QUIT NICOTINE 4 LIFE
Think before you vape.
Think before you sink.
Think about your future.
Think about your family.
Think about the unborn child.
Think about the next generation.
VOTE CHANGE.
STASH THE CASH.
BANK THE HOURS.
KNOW YOUR HEALTH.
DECODE YOUR HAIR.
BUILD YOUR FUTURE.