A state-based, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation-led anti-vaping campaign has expanded nationally, encouraging community "warriors and the dreamers", its young people, to quit with their peers' support behind them.
Flip The Vape, which centres young ambassador voices in the health movement, was launched by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) and its The Koori Way initiative in 2025.
After reaching more than 1 million people, it's turning national with Flip the Vape Week for a week of action from June 15th to 21st.
The initiative's delivery has already extended into Tasmania in the time since its launch.
In addition to quitting, Flip The Vape also focuses on prevention, taking a supportive approach to helping First Nations young people "from feeling helpless against it to having the power to quit" over scare tactics and lectures.
VAHS identifies more than one in five people 15 years and older have tried vaping.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory have jumped on board for the week-long campaign, with delivery through their Tackle Indigenous Smoking (TIS) programs.
"The biggest barrier for young people often isn't knowing vaping is harmful; it's the fear of standing out or losing belonging," VAHS Preventative Health Unit manager Lionel Austin says.
"Flip the Vape Week exists to change that by making quitting something visible, collective, and backed by community."
The program utilises young First Nations ambassadors to spotlight the message, "boldly sticking one finger up to vaping and encouraging their peers to do the same".
Humour, culture, community pride, and peer-led storytelling are outlined as a means to brings others on board.
Noongar woman, former VFLW now WAFLW star, and advocate Courtney Ugle is leading the campaign.
"Our young people are the warriors and the dreamers," she said.
"They flipped the script with pride, with humour, with their mob behind them.
"Now it's your turn. If you've got a mic, a stage or a community, we need you in this. Flip the vape with us."
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Galambila Aboriginal Corporation in Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast, Nunkuwarrin Yunti in Adelaide, Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service in WA, Danila Dilba Health Service in Great Darwin and Palmerston and Flinders Island Aboriginal Association in Tasmania are the ACCHOs who've joined for Flip the Vape Week.
They'll host sporting events, arts activities, BBQs, youth gatherings, community-led conversations, outdoors and digital campaigns throughout.
The campaign also connects young people to the Aboriginal Quitline and the Tackling Indigenous Smoking team.
