Matada Research

🌺 Pacific and 16 to 24? We want your va**ng story 🎥💨

We are collecting short video diary stories from Pacific youth about their experiences with va**ng. Your voice will help improve support for our communities.

👀 Who can take part
✅ You are 16 to 24
✅ You identify as Indigenous Pacific (Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, Kiribati and others)
✅ Students are welcome (for example, .college )

🎥 What to do

Record a 30 to 60-second video about va**ng. You can discuss your own experiences or what you observe at school, church, sports, home, or online.

Please make sure to keep your video respectful. Do not show or disclose the names of anyone who has not agreed to participate.

Upload it using the link in our bio.
✔ One video per person
✔ Everyone must agree to the consent form online before submitting

Your video will be used for research only and will not be shared publicly.

💰 Prizes
Up to 60 valid entries will go into the draw to win 1 of 6 prizes of $500.

📅 Deadline
December 20, 2025, or earlier if we receive 60 eligible videos.

Your story. Your community. Your impact.
👉 Submit through the link in bio
👉 Tag a friend who should see this

**ng **ngstories

📱💔 A groundbreaking new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals that excessive screen time among children and young adults may be putting their heart health at serious risk. Researchers analysed data from over 1,000 participants in Denmark. They found that increased time on phones, gaming consoles, and other devices was significantly associated with higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. The most concerning finding was that this link between screen time and heart health risks was strongest among youth who slept fewer hours, suggesting that screens may be "stealing" precious sleep time and creating a dangerous cycle for our young people's health. 😴⚠️

With many adolescents spending 5-6 hours daily on screens, experts are calling for urgent action to address screen habits as a way to protect long-term heart and metabolic health, emphasising that even small reductions in daily screen time could make a meaningful difference across entire populations of children. 🌟💪

https://newsroom.heart.org/news/excessive-screen-time-among-youth-may-pose-heart-health-risks

Excessive screen time among youth may pose heart health risks Research Highlights: Increased time on electronic devices or watching TV among children and young adults was associated with higher cardiometabolic disease risk, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, based on data from ...

Last year, in partnership with Te Whatu Ora Health Promotion, we initiated a research project to explore Pacific people's perceptions of va**ng. Today, we are delighted to present the final report summarising our research efforts.

Smoking is a significant concern within Pacific communities, with an alarming 18.9% smoking rate, significantly higher than the national average of 9.2%. Given these high smoking rates and the growing trend of regular va**rs trying to quit, the potential of va**ng as a smoking cessation tool is substantial. However, research underscores that a successful transition hinges on satisfaction and access to suitable va**ng devices. Additionally, the absence of readily accessible scientific information online regarding va**ng's safety and benefits presents a noteworthy challenge, leading individuals to rely on personal experiences and knowledge shared by friends and family members.

Our 2022 study, involving 60 Pacific individuals, contributes valuable insights to the existing knowledge about va**ng in Pacific communities, highlighting six key findings:

1️⃣ Pacific peoples expressed concern about the broader social impacts of va**ng.
2️⃣ Pacific peoples’ knowledge of va**ng is based on personal and social experiences.
3️⃣ Pacific peoples’ decisions to v**e are influenced by their social circles.
4️⃣ Pacific peoples can identify va**ng culture and practices.
5️⃣ Cost and health are the main drivers for changing from smokes to v**es (ENDS).
6️⃣ Pacific peoples have mixed results using va**ng/ENDS to quit smoking.

⬇️ To read more, download our report below ⬇️

Pacific Peoples' Nicotine-Free Futures: Report | Matada Research This report uses Pacific research methodologies to present Pacific peoples’ attitudes towards va**ng. This report intentionally draws attention to...

Check out our latest infographic on "Debt Forgiveness: A radical solution to financial instability?" Explore the power of debt forgiveness, its impact on individuals and communities, and innovative implementation ideas. 🌐💰✨

Click here for more: https://pin.it/4Si99Y4