Behind the News High: What the history of smoking can teach us about vaping

• Behind the News, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

This video covers the history of smoking and shows how it took a long time for society to recognise the harms. It explores how history can inform discussions about the recent emergence of e-cigarettes/vapes. The video includes interviews with young Australians and with experts. A transcript and curriculum links are available on the ABC website.

Video length: 8:50

• Increased knowledge of the history of smoking and the tobacco industry
• Increased knowledge of the short-term health effects of vaping

Expert Review*:

The video was developed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and includes input from academic experts. It has a high production quality and uses animation to present complex information about the history of tobacco use and industry influences in an engaging and easy to understand way. The video includes interviews with young Australians to increase relevance to students.

Please note that laws around e-cigarettes have changed since the video was produced. While the video states that it is illegal to purchase nicotine e-cigarettes in Australia, these can now be purchased from pharmacies by people aged over 18 years old to support smoking/vaping cessation. Visit ‘e-cigarettes, vaping and the law’ for up-to-date information.

*Review provided by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney.