Adolescent vaping and education: Does it make a difference?

Abstract

E-cigarette use and vaping has increased dramatically in the U.S. since 2011 among high school students and is a serious public health concern. Nicotine is an addictive substance and nicotine may harm teen brain development. Adolescents are vulnerable to nicotine addiction and often discount the addiction risks associated with vaping because teens believe water is being vaped. The purpose of this project was to assess current vaping practices and measure the effectiveness of an educational campaign about the potential risks of vaping among high schools students. Students in grades 9-12 from one Midwestern high school voluntarily participated in a pre- and post-survey quality improvement project. An education intervention was provided once a week over four consecutive weeks. Following the education campaign, the students completed a post-survey. Independent t-tests were conducted on pre- and post-survey answers. Pre-survey sample included results from 411 students and post-survey results included 284 student responses. E-cigarette use and vaping was found in 33% of the sample population; 13% higher than the reported 2018 U.S. e-cigarette use. JUUL was the device most frequently identified by brand name. Survey results were grouped into four constructs: knowledge, peer influence, health concern and willingness to use in the future. The constructs of knowledge, t (627) = -3.91, p=0.00, and health concern, t (578) = -2.71, p=0.00, resulted in statistically significant responses. Education increased student’s knowledge about the risks associated with e-cigarette use and vaping. E-cigarette use and vaping is a public health concern positively influenced by educating adolescents. Keywords: e-cigarettes, vaping, adolescents, education, teenagers