World No Tobacco Day: Urging Smokers and Vapers to Quit for Good
The Cancer Institute NSW is tirelessly working to address the plateaued smoking rate of 8.2% in NSW, despite significant progress made in the past two decades. However, the rise in vaping among young individuals aged 16-24 is becoming a concerning epidemic, with usage reaching 16.5%, up from 4.5% just two years ago. Protecting the younger population from the dangers of vaping has become a national priority, evident in the Australian Government’s commitment of $737 million to combat smoking and vaping. The alarming facts speak for themselves: globally, tobacco kills millions of people each year, remaining the leading cause of preventable death and illness in NSW. Smoking is linked to 16 types of cancers, and vapes often contain higher nicotine levels and harmful chemicals. Non-smokers who vape are three times more likely to transition to smoking tobacco. On World No Tobacco Day, it is crucial for smokers and vapers to consider quitting for good. Quitting is challenging, but having a supportive and non-judgmental person to talk to can make a significant difference. The NSW Quitline team is committed to expertly assisting individuals on their quit journey, and it all begins with a conversation.