Media releases

Federation University Australia researchers are investigating ways to empower young people to say no to vaping in a project funded by a VicHealth Vaping Prevention Grant.

Public Health Discipline Lead at Federation’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Professor Dr Muhammad Aziz Rahman and PhD student, Dr Naima Nimmi will work on the Central Highlands Vaping Prevention Project with lead project partner, the City of Ballarat, and other organisations.

The project will aim to increase awareness of the harms of vaping among young people aged 10 to 25 and their ability to reject vaping, reduce exposure to vaping and vaping products among young people, and increase community capability to address vaping among young people.

Professor Rahman and Dr Nimmi will map smoking and vaping cessation support services using the data to develop and promote resources for local health practitioners including general practitioners, paediatricians, practice nurses, and smoking cessation specialists.

The resources will support the upskilling of healthcare workers on best practice for discussing vaping concerns, risks, and prevention with adolescent patients.

As part of the project, Federation will also coordinate student-led workshops and focus groups to support development of student-led vaping prevention strategies.

The project is the latest initiative by Federation in educating the community on the dangers of vaping.

In February, Federation hosted The Vape Cloud art installation during Mt Helen Campus O Week celebrations while in July the Uncloud virtual reality experience encouraging students to adopt a vape-free life, was featured at TAFE Fest.

Professor Rahman is a medical doctor, public health professional, and respected academic whose research citations have ranked him in the world’s top 2 per cent of scientists during the period 2020-3.

Professor Rahman’s research interests include smoking and vaping, and he is a Vice President-elect (Development)and Convenor for the Health Promotion Special Interest Group at the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). He is also the Board Director for the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia (CAPHIA).

Quote attributable to Federation University Australia Public Health Discipline Lead, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Professor Dr Muhammad Aziz Rahman

“Every health professional plays an influential role in helping young people to quit vaping. This project will give our local health practitioners evidence-based resources so they can address vaping concerns with this vulnerable cohort. Each anti-vaping initiative is critical in the current vaping pandemic, both for the health of our young people and so that the success of tobacco control in Australia is not undermined.”