Applications are now open for $2 million in Healthy Canberra Grants to promote vaping cessation and reduce alcohol-related harm in priority groups, the ACT Government has announced.

“The ACT Government is committed to minimising the harm caused in our community from vaping and excessive alcohol use, particularly for young Canberrans and at-risk members of our community,” ACT health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

“E-cigarettes are not safe. They present a significant health riskdue to the nicotine and other harmful chemicals used in e-liquids, exposure to first or second-hand particulate matter, and the safety of the devices themselves.

“The rates of vaping, especially among young people, is very concerning. We are eager to see those who already use e-cigarettes get support to stop, and to reduce the likelihood of others starting to vape. Initiatives in this space will complement the strong regulatory approach being led by the Commonwealth Government and agreed by all states and territories.

“Excessive consumption of alcohol creates a significant burden on our healthcare system. It has immediate and long-term health effects which impact not only the individual, but also families and the wider community.”

Ms Stephen-Smith saidthis grants round will help local community groups improve the health of Canberrans. 

Community organisations in the ACT are encouraged to apply for the latest grant round. Proposals will need to address one or more of these funding priorities:

• Reducing the number of people who vape in cohorts in which vaping is more prevalent;
• Preventing people from taking up e-cigarettes, particularly young people, and reducing vaping related harms;
• Delaying the uptake of alcohol consumption;
• Reducing the risk of single occasion drinking harm;
• Reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm from before conception, through pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Applications for the grant round close at 4pm, on Wednesday 14 February 2024.

For more information on the program, visit health.act.gov.au/hpgrants

Potential applicants can email Healthy Canberra Grants on [email protected] or phone (02) 5124 9456 to discuss their program ideas and any questions they may have about the funding round.

These targeted grants support the goals of the ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025, released today.

This second action plan for the Healthy Canberra: ACT Preventive Health Plan 2020-2025 will build on the progress made from the first action plan (2020-2023). New actions released today relate to vaping and e-cigarettes, healthy homes, online and home delivery of alcohol orders, sexually transmitted infections, blood-borne virus prevention, and the First 1,000 Days (between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday).

These actions respond to emerging evidence showing increasing prevalence of e-cigarette use among young people, rising cost of living pressures, harmful impacts of alcohol use in private settings, and the need to invest in better supporting children and families with earlier intervention to avoid escalation of challenges and costs, health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

The government consulted the community on the second action plan.

To view the ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025: www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/population-health/act-preventive-health-plan