NSW has launched a new evidence-based Pave app to help more young people quit vaping.
The app will provide users with helpful tips, motivation, tracking tools, distractions for when cravings hit, as well as activities and information to navigate common barriers to quitting vaping.
It provides a daily check-in feature supporting users to reflect on their progress and a click-to-call function to connect with Quitline counsellors.
Former vaper, Jillie Clarke says quitting vaping is 100% possible.
“The craziest thing about vaping is that I genuinely don’t believe anyone wants to be a vaper,” she said.
“I didn’t realise I was addicted until I tried to quit and I couldn’t. But quitting vaping is 100 per cent possible, it’s a journey but every step is progress and you can do it.
“Vaping had a noticeable impact on my breathing, it felt like my lungs were working harder than they used to and I ended up getting really sick with a lung infection.
“What was really scary for me was learning that the impacts of vaping go beyond respiratory issues, with other damage not being felt until it’s too late – I didn’t want to risk getting to that stage,” she said.
The app was developed by the Cancer Institute NSW, and designed together with young people who vape or had recently quit vaping, whose experiences informed the content and user interface of the app.
“It’s encouraging to see that tens of thousands of young people are trying to quit vaping or thinking about doing so,” said Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM.
“But vaping remains a significant public health issue and the new Pave app is another option we can provide to encourage young people to seek help and stay on track on their quit journey.
“Vaping can cause significant health harms and can be highly addictive. Like cigarettes, vapes are also full of harmful chemicals that have been known to cause cancer and there is growing evidence that young people who vape are more likely to take up smoking, which can significantly increase their cancer risk.
“It’s important that people avoid taking up vaping or seek help to quit. While quitting can be hard, with support, taking that first step can be life changing.”
It’s free and available to download on iOS and Android.
