❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Department of Communities on resources available to caseworkers, carers, and young people in care regarding vaping, following the Commissioner for Children and Young People's report on youth vaping in WA. The Department's response outlines a coordinated approach and access to support services.
AnsweredQoN 798Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Commissioner for Children and Young People's 2023 report 'Talking about vaping: WA young people’s views and experiences of e-cigarettes', which notes that the Commissioner's survey found that Western Australian young people want adults to know that "vaping is more common among young people than you think" and that the top support that young people want from adults on this issue is "help young people quit or not start", and I ask: (a) what resources do case workers have to engage young people on this issue; (b) what resources, training and supports do carers have to engage those in their care on this issue; (c) what resources and supports are directly available to young people in care regarding vaping; and (d) how are young people made aware that these vaping-specific supports are available?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
7 days
The Department of Communities advises:
(a – d) The Department of Communities (Communities) plays a pivotal role in supporting young Western Australians who are engaged in risky behaviours, such as vaping. Communities delivers a coordinated whole-of government response focused on early intervention, culturally responsive care, and place-based solutions to address the complex and intersecting challenges faced by these young people.
Communities provides a range of supports to foster carers, which includes access to free support services funded by Communities that assist carers to navigate how to best provide care for each individual young person engaged in risky behaviour.
Caseworkers actively engage with young people to identify and respond to their care needs. Where caseworkers identify that a young person may be engaging in risky behaviour such as vaping, they will connect young people with appropriate resources, training, and supports which may include health professionals, health education services, and school-based resources.
(a – d) The Department of Communities (Communities) plays a pivotal role in supporting young Western Australians who are engaged in risky behaviours, such as vaping. Communities delivers a coordinated whole-of government response focused on early intervention, culturally responsive care, and place-based solutions to address the complex and intersecting challenges faced by these young people.
Communities provides a range of supports to foster carers, which includes access to free support services funded by Communities that assist carers to navigate how to best provide care for each individual young person engaged in risky behaviour.
Caseworkers actively engage with young people to identify and respond to their care needs. Where caseworkers identify that a young person may be engaging in risky behaviour such as vaping, they will connect young people with appropriate resources, training, and supports which may include health professionals, health education services, and school-based resources.
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