A vaping risks education program for school students: Evaluation of the solve mystery toolkit

Prev Med Rep. 2022 Jun 9:28:101852. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101852. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Abstract

One in three grade 7 to 12 students in Canada report trying vaping or e-cigarettes. Despite consequences like nicotine addiction, impaired brain development, increased respiratory symptoms, and association with an increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, 48% of youth believe occasional vaping has little to no risk. There is a clear need for youth to learn about vaping consequences. We developed and piloted a novel free interactive educational program on vaping risks which has been used by over 800 grade 7 to 9 students. In post-program surveys, students reported a subjective increase in knowledge about the health consequences of vaping.

Keywords: Addiction; Children; E-cigarettes; Nicotine; Vaping; Youth.