Curtin University researchers will investigate combatting the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and the promotion of alcohol, gambling and junk food as part of new projects supported by Healthway.
Announced by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson today, the new research has been supported by the State Government to address the impact of dangerous industry marketing on children and young people in Western Australia.
Under a major project led by Professor Jonine Jancey, from the Curtin School of Population Health, researchers will work to limit the use of e-cigarettes, particularly among 15 to 24-year-olds, by countering messages promoted by the e-cigarette and other electronic nicotine products industry.
Other research, led by Dr Zenobia Talati, from the Curtin School of Population Health, will examine the impact of junk food promotion by popular Australian sports stars via social media on children.
Dr Jonathan Hallett, from the Curtin School of Population Health, will investigate how WA young people’s exposure to gambling marketing influences their intention to gamble, with the aim of guiding policy interventions to reduce health and social harms.
Another project, led by Associate Professor Justine Leavy, from the Curtin School of Population Health, will seek to measure the impact of outdoor and digital alcohol advertising near beaches and rivers on young Perth people, aged 16 to 24 years.
Curtin University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Chris Moran congratulated the researchers on being awarded funding support from the State Government.
“These research projects seek to address some critical public health issues facing our children and young people, including the use of e-cigarettes, alcohol, gambling and junk food,” Professor Moran said.
“This work is seeking to address the impact of harmful industry marketing on children and young people in WA and we are grateful for the support from the State Government through Healthway.”
The Curtin-led projects supported by Healthway today include:
- Capacity building to combat harmful industries: E-cigarettes and other electronic novel products ($379,374) led by Professor Jonine Jancey, from the Curtin School of Population Health;
- Reach and impact of sports stars marketing junk food to kids via social media ($74,727) led by Dr Zenobia Talati, from the Curtin School of Population Health;
- Alcohol Advertising and Aquatic Environments: Building the evidence for change ($74,989) led by Associate Professor Justine Leavy, from the Curtin School of Population Health; and
- Exploring young people’s exposure and attitudes towards gambling marketing ($74,736) led by Dr Jonathan Hallett, from the Curtin School of Population Health.
To view the Minister’s media release, visit here.
