E-Cigarette Addiction in Adolescents-How Do We Get Them to Stop?

Abstract

Background: E-cigarette use in adolescents is increasing and the addictive potential of these devices is well recognised. Most health authorities have no E-cigarette cessation programmes. We reviewed randomised control trials evaluating prevention strategies for adolescent E-cigarette use and identified any successful components.

Methods: Search terms were created in accordance with the main objective (vaping/E-cigarette use prevention/cessation/adolescents). Search was conducted via Ovid MedLine for English-language randomised control trials published from 2020 to 2023 containing keywords relating to adolescent E-cigarette use. Seven U.S. studies were included in the review. We established common themes of qualitative outcomes and identification of successful components of prevention programmes.

Results: Interventions showed significant improvement in general knowledge and perceived risk of E-cigarettes, and lower risk of using other tobacco products. Other consequences showed lower susceptibility to vaping uptake and higher abstinence rates although future studies are required to see if these were sustained long-term.

Conclusion: Focus groups aid development of cessation and prevention campaigns. Messages should be digital and relatable. Messages should contain health "harm" warnings. Furthermore, support services should be well-signposted for adolescents. Social media is a low-cost and important tool to halt teenage E-cigarette addiction.