Calls are growing for regional Victorian councils to take a stronger stance against rising vaping use within the community.
In June last year, The City of Melbourne endorsed its Smoke-free Melbourne Policy.
Under the plan, the council's list of smoke-free zones will be expanded to potentially include council-owned and managed properties, along with entry points to major transport hubs.
Existing no-smoking signs will also be updated to display "no vaping" messaging.
Head of Quit Victoria Sarah White said, under the latest version of the Tobacco Act 1987, the rules that applied to tobacco use also applied to e-cigarette and vaping use.
This meant vapes could not be used where smoking was banned, which included all enclosed workplaces and outdoor dining and recreational areas.
"A lot of people don't know that," Dr White said.
"What the City of Melbourne is doing is putting that signage up, so it's really clear to everybody that where you can't smoke you also can't vape.
"I think it's a measure that we need to adopt around the rest of Victoria, so that message gets through."
Dr White said regional councils, such as the City of Ballarat, could be doing more to protect people from second-hand smoke.
"I'd really like to see them doing more, protecting things like the Bridge Mall shopping centre," she said.
While "no vaping" signage was available for businesses to voluntarily print and display through Victoria's Department of Health website, Dr White would like to see councils put signs in more places, particularly in areas where young people frequented.
"I think that signage will really help kids understand that [vaping] is something that they shouldn't be doing," Dr White said.
City of Ballarat's director of wellbeing Matt Wilson said reducing harm from smoking was a "priority area" for the council's health and wellbeing plan for 2021–2023.
"Key areas of action include the provision of information, particularly around the harms to children, facilities and businesses with no smoking signage and providing tobacco education to registered businesses," Mr Wilson said in a statement.
Ballarat parents' concern sparks forum
Data from the most recent National Health Survey revealed almost one in 10 Australians aged 18 years old and over had tried a vaping device at least once.
Vaping use among young people (18-24 years old) was more common than in any other age group.
Amid growing concern about vape use in young people within the Ballarat community, volunteer Ballarat parents' group Friends of Ballarat Grammar has chosen to run its own free information night.
President and parent Sue Lembo said parent education was vital in helping tackle the rising vaping trend.
"A lot of parents wouldn't know their child was vaping. My oldest son had experience with vapes, and I had no idea because it was hidden. It's so easy for them to hide it," she said.
Ms Lembo said she supported Dr White's calls for updated signage around Ballarat "100 per cent".
"I think we haven't changed our mindset enough to make the change. We really need to change the way we think about vaping," she said.
"Just because it's not tobacco, it's still nicotine, it's still addictive, and it's still just as dangerous to our teens' health."
Ms Lembo said parents from all schools were invited and the event would be live-streamed.
"The more information we can get out there, and educate our parents and the community, can only be a good thing," she said.
The event will be held at Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts from 7pm on September 6.
