National anti-vaping campaign launched in Presentation College, Bagenalstown
Radio presenter Kasey Campion with students from Presentation De La Salle College, Carlow pictured at the launch of the HSE's new national youth vaping and nicotine prevention in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. Photo - Aishling Conway/Photocall Ireland
THE HSE launched its new youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign at Presentation de la Salle College, Bagenalstown on last Friday, 14 March.
Minister of state at the Department of Health with special responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, launched the campaign and said the government is drafting further legislation to curtail the sale of disposable vapes.
Addressing both primary and secondary school students at the launch, minister Murnane O’Connor said: “The message that you are all hearing today is very clear. Nicotine is harmful, particularly to young people, whose brains and bodies are still developing.”
She added: “I am working with the minister for health to bring forward more legislation. We will ban the sale of all disposable vapes and restrict the colours, the imagery and the packaging of vapes to make them less attractive and to make sure they do not resemble toys or games.”
Launched in the school hall, the event was attended by both primary and secondary school students, teachers, members of the HSE Tobacco-Free Ireland Programme and a number of doctors. Dotted around the hall were posters and other images showing the harmful effects of vaping, which were put together by members of Carlow Regional Youth Services.
Two students from St Leo’s College, sixth-year Miriam Ibrahim and TY student Ecaterina Dosoftei, worked on the creation of the posters, which they aim to put up in public places around the town and county.
“Among young people, specifically aged 12-18, there has been such a rise in vaping and other forms of substance abuse. We wanted to bring awareness to the issue and encourage people to stop,” explained Ecaterina.
“With the posters which we will, hopefully, have around the town and at bus stops everywhere in Carlow, if you scan the QR code it will bring you to services if you need help,” said Miriam.
Content creator and radio DJ Kasey Campion was also in attendance and spoke as part of a panel discussion on the harm that vaping can have on young people’s health.
The HSE will work directly with Kasey and other content creators as part of this campaign as it tries to get its message across to young people. This marks the first time the HSE has worked with content creators and influencers.
