About Don’t Get Sucked In
Don’t Get Sucked In is a vaping education initiative developed by the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ. Our goal is to help young people make informed decisions about vaping by providing accurate, up-to-date information and practical resources.
The initiative was created to support young people navigating a landscape often shaped by marketing, misinformation and social pressure, while also providing trusted information for parents, whānau, teachers and others who support them.
What we’ve learned
Since launching our youth vaping education programme in 2022, we have engaged with:
- 6,500+ young people
- 70 schools
- 450 classrooms
across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through these conversations, we have gained valuable insights into young people’s experiences, perspectives, concerns and ideas for change.
Young people have told us about the influences they face, the role of social media and marketing, the challenges of quitting, and the support they would like from the adults around them.
These insights continue to shape the resources, education and advocacy we deliver today.
Our approach
We believe young people deserve access to accurate, up-to-date information about vaping.
Our resources are designed to support learning, discussion and critical thinking. They are informed by current research and grounded in what we have learned through direct conversations with thousands of young people across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We recognise that information alone does not always lead to behaviour change. That is why our approach focuses on helping young people understand the facts, explore the influences around them, and think critically about the choices they make.
Independent and trusted
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ receives no government funding for its vaping education work. This allows us to independently advocate for policies and approaches that support the health and wellbeing of young people.
We have been advocating for stronger vaping regulations and comprehensive youth vaping policies since 2017 and continue to support approaches that reduce the impact of vaping on young people.
The information on this website is informed by current research and supported by the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ Scientific Advisory Board.
Beyond the classroom
While our early work focused on direct engagement with young people in schools, our focus now extends to developing resources and building the capability of educators, health professionals and community leaders to deliver vaping education within their own settings.
We also contribute to conferences and events, engage with the media, and support conversations that increase understanding of youth vaping across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through this work, we aim to increase understanding of vaping and contribute to healthier futures for young people across Aotearoa.
Looking for Professional Development?
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ offers training and workforce development programmes to support those working with young people.
Learn more on the Foundation website.
About the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ
The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ is a national charity dedicated to improving cardiovascular and respiratory health outcomes for people across Aotearoa New Zealand.
To learn more about our wider work, visit the Foundation website.
Visit the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ website.
