The University of Melbourne has sparked debate after announcing a taxpayer-backed position for an anti-vaping project officer, with a salary exceeding $100,000 annually. The part-time role, advertised earlier this week, is aimed at tackling vaping among university students and is set to run until March 2028.
The successful candidate will lead what the university describes as an “impactful vaping prevention project” on its Parkville campus, developing a strategy to reduce student vaping, conducting workshops, and promoting health campaigns.
With a base salary between $98,870 and $107,023, plus 17% superannuation, the total remuneration could exceed $125,000 per year. The role also offers the flexibility of remote work.
The initiative is reportedly funded primarily by VicHealth, a health promotion agency under the Victorian state government. Similar roles may soon appear at other universities across the state.
“This is a groundbreaking initiative to address vaping among university students,” the job listing states. “Your role will be crucial in shaping healthier campus environments and contributing to impactful research on prevention strategies.”
The announcement comes despite a recent decline in vaping rates among young Australians. According to the Generation Vape Project, the proportion of 18–24-year-olds who vape has dropped from 20% in 2023 to 18% in 2025. Peer vaping rates among the same group have also halved, from nearly 15% to under 8%.
Nonetheless, illegal vape sales remain rampant. Authorities have seized over 10 million illicit vapes since the start of 2024, and black-market sales continue, particularly in convenience stores and tobacconists. These stores often operate under criminal networks that have been linked to over 130 arson attacks since 2023 in a turf war over illicit tobacco sales.
The University’s move is part of a broader public health push to curb vaping despite declining usage, amid concerns about illegal access and long-term health effects.
