Among young people, nicotine use is on the rise.
This is despite its well-known and serious impacts. In addition to long-term risks like cancer and emphysema, nicotine use in young people is linked to increased mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and stress.
Making the situation worse, vapes—or e-cigarettes—are now much more popular than traditional cigarettes and often contain a higher proportion of nicotine. This high nicotine content means they are incredibly addictive and can cause serious, immediate, and sometimes irreversible lung damage.
Research shows that more than one third of young people aged 14-17 have vaped, and over half of those who currently vape say they would like to quit or cut down—but feel it would be difficult.
To counter this concerning trend, and make support easier to access, Anglicare has launched Nicotine Knockout, a vaping and smoking cessation program based at The Junction Youth Health Services in Canberra. Backed by the Australian Government and the ACT Government, the program has two key components:
- Therapeutic support: Delivered at The Juncton, this is a flexible, multi-week program where health professionals develop a tailored plan with each young person along with check-ins, counselling, group chats, and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy as required.
- Education Programs: Evidence-based sessions delivered by The Junction team to help schools and community services respond consistently and compassionately. Sessions are delivered to students and educators/staff.
During the program launch, Minister for Health, Rachael Stephen-Smith highlighted the importance of the new service:
“Over the last few years, we’ve worked with clinical experts and young people to understand what’s most accessible for them and where the gaps are. What we heard is that there are limited services in the ACT that are really equipped to support vaping cessation and nicotine dependence in young people.”
With a multi-disciplinary team of GPs, Mental Health GPs, nurses, and youth workers The Junction specializes in providing non-judgmental, holistic care to young people and is uniquely suited to offering a program like this.
The Minister acknowledged the work of The Junction team in building this youth‑centred program on their strong existing supports, and recognised Commonwealth funding—alongside scaled‑up Quitline services—as part of national efforts to reduce nicotine‑related harm.
“This service has real potential to reduce harm in the ACT and safeguard the health of young Canberrans now and into the future.”
Nicotine Knockout is free for young people aged 24 and under. The program is grounded in harm minimisation, trauma‑informed practice and the latest evidence on nicotine dependence and behaviour change.
Anglicare’s Senior Manager for Child, Youth & Family Services, Jasmine Woodland, explained that while the program is structured around a 12‑week model, flexibility is essential:
“We meet young people where they’re at. The program adapts to their goals and life circumstances, so support stays relevant, accessible and responsive.”
To learn more, visit the Nicotine Knockout website at www.nko.org.au or contact The Junction Team on (02) 6232 2423 for confidential advice and appointments.
