Canberra's First Youth Vaping Program Sees Early Wins

Cameron Owens-Gale knew something was wrong when breathing started to hurt. The 28-year-old had been vaping on and off for nearly a decade, but sharp chest pains finally pushed him to quit for good.

He's not alone in wanting to break free from nicotine addiction. While vaping rates among young Australians have nearly tripled since 2018, a new support program shows many are ready to take back control of their health.

Nicotine Knockout launched in March through Anglicare's The Junction Youth Health Service in Canberra. The program offers people under 25 access to nurses and youth workers who specialize in tackling nicotine dependence.

Nurse practitioner Diane Bowden says young people coming through the doors are genuinely motivated to quit. Many have tried before and succeeded temporarily, but slipped back into old habits when life got stressful.

What makes the program different is its approach. If someone shows up to their second appointment and hasn't managed to reduce their vaping, staff don't judge. They simply keep supporting them until they're ready to try again.

Bowden says the reasons young people start vaping are complex, ranging from peer pressure to managing anxiety and depression. But the constant convenience of having nicotine in your pocket makes addiction harder to shake than cigarettes ever were.

Owens-Gale experienced this firsthand. He remembers when smoking cigarettes meant going outside, rolling tobacco, chatting with friends. It was a ritual with natural breaks.

Vaping changed everything. Now he could take a hit while playing video games, linking nicotine directly to other dopamine hits in his brain. The accessibility made the addiction stickier and harder to escape.

Why This Inspires

The early uptake of Nicotine Knockout shows something powerful: when given the right support, young people choose health over addiction. These aren't rebellious teens dismissing long-term consequences. They're motivated young adults who recognize the physical toll vaping takes and want help breaking free.

The program's judgment-free environment creates space for real change. Recovery isn't linear, and knowing they won't face criticism for setbacks helps participants stay engaged with the process.

While prescription vapes and traditional nicotine replacement therapies offer alternative paths, the human element matters most. Having dedicated professionals who believe in young people's ability to quit creates hope where addiction once felt permanent.

For every young person who walks through Nicotine Knockout's doors, there's a story of someone choosing to breathe easier.