PRESS RELEASE: Immediate Publication
AVCA Vape It Forward (VIF) succeeds where others have failed.
AVCA VIF provides resources and training to mentors who support those who wish to switch to ENDS from combustible
tobacco. (The figures contained herein are from April 2016, which is the official start date of AVCA - when it became
organised and applied for charitable trust board status from the Charities Commission)
AVCA VIF has been successful in getting 95% of the participants in the program off of combustible tobacco products
switched onto ENDS. The total number of participants - former and current, to date is 105.
The majority of candidates come from outside of the three main centres (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington). We have
had the highest success rates in the provinces (Otago, Wairarapa, Taranaki, South Canterbury)
Of the 95% in the successful group, 40% have already gone off of using nicotine containing e-liquid.
Of that 40%, 20% have gone off of using any kind of ENDS in total.
The program itself has been so successful that we have received referrals from both participants in the program, as well
as by external cessation providers that cannot advise on ENDS due to MoH restrictions to assist their “hardcore” smokers
in switching.
Of the 15 people that have been referred to us from this smoking cessation provider stream, 13 have remained smokefree
and are now in the process of cutting down their nicotine levels to reach 0mg.
Of the 13, 5 of them started on 18mg and are now down to 6mg; 4 of them started on 12mg and are down to 3mg and the
remaining 4 individuals started on 3mg and have remained at that level and have no immediate plans to reduce their
nicotine level.
We receive approximately 5 referrals per week, the majority of these come from members of the public who either have
been made aware of the program from an advocate/mentor or have found us via Facebook/social media referrals.
We believe that our success comes down to the "personal touch" and support that our new vapers receive. After the
initial 1-to-1 support period ends, the majority of the new vapers remain involved in AVCA VIF and go on to become
supporters and/or mentor-advocates themselves to "pay it forward." Who better to understand the process than someone
who has been there and succeeded?
He aha te mea nui o te ao, He tangata, he tangata, he tangata