Aboriginal-Led Initiative Targets Youth Vaping

Flip the Vape Week, an Aboriginal-led and youth-powered anti-vaping campaign, will run across Australia from 15th to 21st June 2026. This initiative is the first of its kind nationally, uniting Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Tackling Indigenous Smoking teams, and communities in a collective effort against youth vaping.

The campaign targets young people across six states, expanding on past achievements in Victoria and Tasmania, where it reached over one million youths. It emphasizes support and prevention strategies using strengths-based messaging instead of fear tactics.

Courtney Ugle, a proud Noongar woman and Swan Districts WAFLW player, leads the campaign as its principal ambassador. She is recognised for her advocacy in Indigenous leadership and community education and calls young participants “warriors and dreamers” in the fight against vaping.

Community Engagement and Activities

Activities will be hosted by local ACCHOs such as the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Galambila Aboriginal Corporation in New South Wales, and Nunkuwarrin Yunti in South Australia. These events aim to engage communities and provide culturally safe spaces for young people to learn and share.

Lionel Austin, Manager of the Preventative Health Unit at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, highlights that the campaign’s goal is to make quitting vaping a visible and community-backed choice. The initiative empowers young people to take charge of their health by fostering a supportive environment.

Throughout the week, events like BBQs, sports matches, and community gatherings will encourage participation in the Flip the Vape Challenge. This challenge invites young people to share videos of themselves “flipping” an object, symbolizing their commitment to quitting vaping.

The Aboriginal Quitline provides culturally safe support via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, and online platforms. This service is part of a broader effort to offer accessible quitting resources tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In addition to community events, a crew of young ambassadors uses humour, culture, and storytelling to shift the narrative around vaping. These ambassadors aim to inspire peers by showing that quitting is both possible and empowering.

For more information and to get involved, visit flipthevape.com. Flip the Vape Week will conclude with celebrations across Australia, emphasising the collective commitment to reducing youth vaping.