Vaping and e-cigarette use have surged in recent years, especially among high school students. With an array of flavors and discreet designs, it's not hard to see why teenagers might find them appealing. However, their harmful effects, especially on young lungs, have made the prevention of their use a significant public health challenge.
In a recent study, our team took a unique approach to this challenge: leveraging the influence of peers. Research consistently shows that teenagers are more likely to listen to and be influenced by their peers than adults. Harnessing this power, our team developed a peer-to-peer educational video program aimed at preventing the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
This research was a collaboration between scholars: Dilci D., Dilci E. Haji S., Bozkurt A., and Bozkurt B. We submitted our findings to notable journals, including the Journal of the American Heart Association and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Our strategy was two fold:
Developing the Video Program: We worked alongside the American Heart Association's Public Program for Tobacco Endgame and the You’re the Cure advocacy network. This collaboration ensured that our educational content was both scientifically accurate and relatable for high school students.
Evaluation through a Quiz: Before watching our educational video, students took a 10-question quiz to gauge their existing knowledge about e-cigarettes. After viewing, they retook the quiz.
We were thrilled to engage 110 high school students, from both private and public institutions, in this study.
Our findings were promising. The average quiz scores of participants increased significantly from 70.80% before the video to 90.55% after (p < 0.05). This rise in scores suggests not only improved knowledge about e-cigarettes but also a shift in perceptions. With their enhanced understanding, students might be less likely to experiment with or continue using vaping products.
Our peer-to-peer approach underscores the significance of using relatable figures in public health campaigns. By using students to educate their peers, we tap into a communication channel that might be more effective than traditional adult-led initiatives.
As vaping continues to pose a threat to the health of our youth, innovative strategies like this can play a crucial role in curbing its appeal. We remain hopeful that such initiatives will contribute meaningfully to a healthier, vape-free generation.
Here’s the link to the submission:
