A new service aimed at helping young people quit vaping and smoking has opened in Canberra, offering free counselling, education and nicotine dependence support.

The program, Nicotine Knockout @ The Junction, has launched at Anglicare’s The Junction Youth Health Service and is available to ACT residents aged 24 and under.

National research shows one in eight Australians aged 12 to 17 identify as current users of nicotine products, with more than half saying they would like to quit or reduce their use but find it difficult.

The service will provide education sessions for students, educators and youth workers about the risks of vaping, as well as counselling and therapeutic programs for young people.

Participants can access up to 12 weeks of flexible counselling, develop personalised quitting plans and receive ongoing support through SMS check-ins and drop-in sessions. Where clinically appropriate, nicotine replacement therapy may also be provided free of charge.

The program received $660,000 in funding over three years following an open grant process run by the ACT Government. Funding is provided by the Australian Government through a federation funding agreement with the territory.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the initiative would support broader efforts to reduce nicotine addiction among young Australians.

“The Albanese Government is committed to protecting Australians from the harms of tobacco, vaping and nicotine addiction,” Mr Butler said.

Senior coordinator at The Junction, Narelle Luff, said youth workers were increasingly seeing young people dealing with nicotine dependence.

“We regularly see young people struggling with nicotine addiction, which has become a growing health concern among our cohort,” Ms Luff said.

“By now offering the Nicotine Knockout program, a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and youth workers can provide continuity of care and a clear referral pathway for young people seeking help.”