We recognise that alcohol vaping, smoking and drugs can cause significant problems in the community. We have information to support you, particularly around education and helping you access the right services.
Alcohol, vaping, smoking and drug support
Alcohol
Alcohol is Australia’s most widely used drug and is one of the top ten avoidable causes of disease and death in Victoria.
While harm from alcohol can increase the risk of developing long-term health conditions including cancer, and liver and heart disease, alcohol can also impact your finances, mental health, relationships, work and study. Treatment and support are available.
Resources
Learn alcohol facts including health risks and effects, standard drink sizes, how to keep track of your alcohol consumption, drink spiking, how alcohol affects your body and brain, cutting down your alcohol intake and how to drink responsibly.
- Better Health Network
- VicHealth
- Alcohol Think Again — alcohol facts including information for parents with kids under 18
- Victoria Police — Policing Alcohol Harm in Victoria 2014–2024
Where to get support
- Better Health Network — support, to find a service near you or book an appointment visit the Better Health Network's Find a service website
- South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network — ResetLife outpatient program
- Headspace — provides help for young people
- Self Help Addiction Resource Centre — supports people impacted by alcohol, other drugs and gambling
- Taskforce Community Agency — provides alcohol and other drug services and programs
- VictorianGovernment Department of Health — information on alcohol and other drug treatment services
Vaping
Research has found e-cigarettes and vapes are unsafe, particularly for young people, and contain harmful chemicals that can impact both mental and physical health outcomes. Vapes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can look like everyday items including highlighters, pens, or USB memory sticks. Information and support are available to those who vape and their family and friends.
Resources
- South East Public Health Unit — understand vaping
- Quit anti-vaping information — see through the haze
- Quit hub for parents and adults — get the facts on vaping
- VicHealth — vaping conversation guide and advice for parents
- Victorian Government — smoking and vaping advice for parents
- Lung Foundation Australia — vaping information for young people, parents, and First Nations peoples
- Australian Government — measures to reduce the significant damage caused by vaping
- Council’s smoke-free areas ban smoking, including vaping, for the health and safety of our community.
Where to get support
- Quitline — counsellors
- Aboriginal Quitline
- Quitline LGBTIQA+ communities
- Headspace — provides help for young people
Smoking
Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer caused by smoking and more than eighty percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Smoking harms almost every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the general health of people who smoke. Many of the chemicals in cigarettes can cause cancer and others are poisonous.
While the harmful effects on your body and others through secondhand smoke are great reasons to give up smoking there is also the financial benefit. Find out more below if you want to quit or help someone you know stop smoking.
Resources
- Cancer Council Victoria
- Quit stories hub — read what others have to say about their quitting journeys and get their tips to help succeed
- First Nations Lung Foundation Australia
- Quit LGBTIQA+ communities
- Council’s smoke-free areas ban smoking, including vaping, for the health and safety of our community.
- Australian Government and Victorian Government – measures to reduce the significant damage caused by smoking
Where to get support
- Quitline Victoria — counsellors
- Quit Victoria — tools and resources to quit smoking
- Aboriginal Quitline
Other drugs
Substance misuse and addiction is a major cause of preventable disease and illness and impacts the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and our community. The health impacts of Illicit drug use include disease, injury, overdose and death.
Young people are particularly vulnerable as they are susceptible to permanent damage from alcohol and other drug use, as their brains are still developing.
To find out more, see the resources and treatment options below.
Resources
Where to get support
- Better Health Network — support, to find a service near you or book an appointment visit the Better Health Network's Find a service website
- Taskforce Community Agency — provides alcohol and other drug services and programs
- South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network — ResetLife outpatient program
- Headspace — provides help for young people
- Self Help Addiction Resource Centre — supports people impacted by alcohol, other drugs and gambling
- Odyssey House — delivers counselling and support
- Family Drug Support Australia — provides information and support service
What to expect from services
The Victorian Government alcohol and other drug charter and resources provide information about what people can expect from their treatment in these services. It also outlines what is expected of clients and the service providers that provide alcohol and other drug services.
Resources have been developed to explain how alcohol and other drug services work, options for treatment and how to make a complaint. To find out more visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.
If you have a concern or complaint about a healthcare provider contact the Health Complaints Commissioner or call 1300 582 113 for help. The Health Complaints Commissioner provides impartial complaints resolution for all Victorians. The Health Complaints Commissioner can investigate and take action against registered and unregistered health practitioners, including public and private alcohol and other drug service providers.
Requirements for healthcare providers including private alcohol and other drug treatment services are included in the general Code of Conduct under the Health Complaints Act 2016
More resources and support services
Ask Izzy — mobile website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby.
Better Health Network (BHN) — helpful list of alcohol and other drugs resources and support services.
Better Health Network — wide range of services to support healthy living, general wellbeing and social connection including alcohol and other drugs services and programs. To find a service near you or book an appointment visit the Better Health Network's Find a service website.
Cancer Council Victoria — cancer research, prevention and support.
First Nations Lung Foundation Australia
Headspace — help for young people with mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
HelloSundayMorning — information and tools to encourage people to change their relationship with alcohol, including a self-assessment.
Kids Helpline — counselling services and facts and guidance for kids, teens, young adults and parents.
Lung Foundation Australia — services, events and information
Positive Choices — online portal that provides evidence-based information and prevention resources for teachers, students and their parents, culturally and linguistically diverse peoples and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Quit Victoria — a program of Cancer Council Victoria
Queerspace — LGBTQI+ community counselling, case management, individual advocacy and other support services.
ReachOut — wide range of online support options for young people
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) — supports people impacted by alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
South Eastern Primary Health Unit (SEPHU) — health promotion
Taskforce Community Agency — alcohol and other drug services and programs
The Alcohol and other Drug Foundation — risks, facts, insights and resources.
The Well — information on reducing alcohol harms.
Turning Point — addiction treatment, education and research centre.
Victoria State Government Department of Health — information on alcohol and other drugs including treatment services
Women’s Alcohol and Drug Service (WADS) — medical care, counselling and support to women with complex substance use and dependence, assessment, and care of infants exposed to drugs and alcohol during pregnancy.
Youth Drugs and Alcohol Advice (YoDAA) — access to information, counselling and referral for young people or someone concerned about a relative or friend.
Support numbers
If you or someone you know is affected by addiction there is support available through telephone and online counselling services for people affected by addiction or are at risk. Listed below are some services that you can access.
If you or someone you know is in danger call 000.
- Beyond Blue call 1300 224 636
- Direct Line call 1800 888 236
- Gambling Help Online call 1800 858 858
- Infoexchange Service Seeker
- Lifeline call 13 11 14
- National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline (ADIS) call 1800 250 015
- Quitline call 13 78 48
- SANE Mental health issues and trauma call 1800 187 263
- Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) call 1300 660 068
- SuicideLine Victoria call 1300 651 251
- 1800 Respect Family Violence call 1800 737 732
Data resources available on alcohol, smoking, vaping and other drugs
Australian Bureau of Statistics provides information on the National Health Survey (NHS) including alcohol consumption, smoking and vaping.
Australian Government’s Australian Institute of Health and Welfare presents an overview of health in Australia.
AODstats by Turning Point provides information on the harms related to alcohol, illicit and pharmaceutical drug use in Victoria and at a local government area.
Cancer Council Victoria’s Tobacco in Australia is a comprehensive review of the major issues in smoking and health in Australia.
Crime Statistics Agency crime by location.
The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) provides population health surveillance data at a state and regional level.
Victorian Women’s Health Atlas displays health and social wellbeing indicators by gender at a local government area.
