Reducing cancer risk through prevention and early intervention in 2024/25

We are incredibly proud of what we achieved in 2024/25 towards reducing cancer risk in NSW and beyond. 

Once again, two of our most impactful areas of work were on tackling tobacco and skin cancer. 

Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of cancer and vaping threatens to reverse decades of progress, as our research shows that young people who vape are up to five times more likely to start smoking.  

Meanwhile, skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in NSW, and preventing it relies on making it easier for Australians to protect themselves. 

Stronger tobacco retail laws 

We have actively advocated for a tobacco retail licensing scheme in NSW for almost 20 years. In 2024 we worked with NSW Government and key Members of Parliament to provide critical information to draft new legislation and help get it through Parliament. The new laws will provide greater oversight of who sells tobacco, ensure retailers that sell tobacco do so legally, and help tackle illegal tobacco sales. 

Helping young people quit or never start vaping 

Now four years in, our Generation Vape research project provided critical evidence that shaped landmark federal reforms to tackle vaping. 

We successfully advocated for new laws across Australia which restrict the sale of vapes to pharmacies only – regardless of their nicotine content. Flavours are now restricted and vapes must come in plain pharmaceutical packaging vapes.  

Our research shows that these laws are working: vaping rates have stabilised, it’s less socially acceptable and behaviours are shifting. Young people now have a better understanding of the harms of vapes and are more likely to report having never vaped or smoked. 

This year, with support from nib foundation, we also stepped up our development of a new digital vaping cessation support tool tailored to young people, by completing a co-design process with 150 young people and consulting with more than 50 experts across tobacco control, youth services and digital health. Next year, we will begin to build the tool’s website and an AI-driven app. 

Preventing skin cancers where we live, work, learn and play 

There is strong evidence that targeted settings-based initiatives are effective in improving sun protection in community. This is why we renewed our focus this year to engage and embed sun safe practices with primary schools and childcare centres. 

We also launched a new SunSmart NSW website, which has driven a 58% increase in site users. We also undertook a literature review of sun safety practices for outdoor workers, with support from EML Group.  

Advocating for skin cancer prevention

We were Gold Sponsors of the Conquering Skin Cancer documentary. This involved supporting five film screenings with live panel discussions. 

Through supporting the documentary, we engaged with local communities, advocacy peak bodies, Local Health Districts, the Department of Education, the Department of Infrastructure, and Landscape Architects. 

We successfully secured ongoing funding for shade in playgrounds in Orange City Council. 

Shaping the national agenda for skin cancer screening  

Researchers from the Daffodil Centre played a lead role in co-developing the Roadmap for a National Targeted Skin Cancer Screening Program with Melanoma Institute Australia, launched in March 2025 with a $7.5m Australian Government grant.  

Led by Professor Anne Cust, the team contributed critical research across melanoma survivorship, risk, metastasis prediction and genomics – paving the way for an evidence-based equitable approach to screening those most at risk in Australia. 

By tackling tobacco, vaping and skin cancer today, we can ensure that generations to come can thrive. Together, it’s all of us against cancer.