My name's Dr. Vinka Barunga I'm a Worrora woman from the Kimberley region in northwestern Australia, and I currently live and work in Naarm, Melbourne, Victoria.
I think people should quit smoking and vaping because, one, it improves your health, it improves your lifestyle, it can improve your longevity and making sure that mob are here and are strong and healthy into the future.
There are chemicals in vapes that affect your lung tissue and can make you very, very sick, sometimes in the immediate setting, but also in the long term, just like cigarette smoking can.
When someone starts a journey of quitting smoking cigarettes or vapes, almost immediately, your health starts to improve.
Your lung function improves, people can breathe easier, smell, taste improves, their skin becomes better, and sometimes, you know, people find that their relationships with families and friends improves immediately also.
People can support family and friends who are on their quitting journey by encouraging them, by helping them avoid environments where smoking is acceptable or readily available, and also by doing that, helping them to form new healthier habits, or even by, you know, attending the healthcare professional with them for more information.
There are many supports available for people who want to quit smoking or vaping. You can see your GP or local health professional, Aboriginal health worker. you can contact Quitline or download the My QuitBuddy app.
Advice that I would give to people who want to quit smoking and vaping is that it's a really difficult journey, and it's important to remember that, and that there can be setbacks and, you know, incredible stresses along the way that make it really difficult, but if you fail, it's important you get back up again, and that there are a lot of people out there, in your families often, in your friends, and also in the health profession, that, you know, are there to support you and want to help you succeed.