A red slide whistle instead of a vape. A claw machine full of whistles at school. And a music booth at the Intro Festival. With the campaign Whistling Through Life, the Municipality of Breda aims to reduce vaping among young people. The campaign travels to vocational and higher education schools in the city and offers students light-hearted, positive ways to quit vaping.
Vaping: Not an Innocent Alternative
More than 1 in 5 young people aged 12 to 25 vape occasionally. The consequences are serious: vapes contain extremely high levels of nicotine and harmful substances such as lead and cadmium. Some THC vapes even contain the synthetic drug Spice, which is highly addictive. Vaping may seem harmless, but it can lead to complaints such as sore throat, shortness of breath, palpitations, and headaches. At high doses, nicotine poisoning can occur, with severe consequences such as vomiting, confusion, or in rare cases, a seizure.
Creative Approach with a Wink
Councilor Arjen van Drunen (health): “More and more young people are reaching for the vape, often without being aware of the risks. The harmful substances and high doses of nicotine make it a serious health problem. That is why we have included in the Health Vision 2024 that we actively want to reduce vaping among young people. Not with a scolding finger, but in a way that suits them: creatively, positively, and with a wink.”
