Canadian student and presenter perceptions of the appeal, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness of the CATCH My Breath vaping prevention curriculum

Abstract

Nicotine vaping is common among Canadian youth. However, there is a lack of evidence for effective school-based prevention approaches targeting nicotine vaping, particularly for high school students. This study explored Canadian student and presenter perceptions of the CATCH My Breath (CMB) curriculum's appeal, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness. A convenience sample of 10 high schools across Ontario, Canada, implemented the CMB curriculum between October 2022 and April 2023. A group of 40 students between 13 and 15 years old participated in six focus groups and 12 curriculum presenters [i.e. teachers and public health unit staff (PHU)] completed interviews to provide feedback about the appeal, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness of the curriculum for Canadian high school students. Qualitative thematic analysis identified major themes from both groups. Presenters and students highlighted key aspects of the curriculum, including the negative health risks of vaping, refusal skills development, and use of engaging activities. Presenters and students offered suggestions for improvement, including extending the session length, using up-to-date relevant statistics, and adding content (e.g. personal testimonies). Presenters and students generally thought that the curriculum was comprehensive, appealing, and appropriate for Canadian high school students. Future studies should evaluate the impacts of the curriculum on student vaping behaviours.