Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Nursing

Supervisor

Smye, Victoria L.

Abstract

The increase in nicotine vaping among youth has emerged as a critical public health concern worldwide, outlining the demand for research to explore youth vaping recovery. Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were systematically reviewed using the rigorous PRISMA guidelines to identify and evaluate all recovery-oriented interventions for youth aged 10-24 that facilitate nicotine vaping recovery. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched, and eligible studies (n = 6) examined school-based interventions, social media campaigns, text message programs, telehealth-based behavioural programs, and protection motivation theory interventions. The studies prioritized abstinence and lacked long-term follow-up, reducing generalizability to youth not ready for complete cessation. The findings outline the need for youth-centred and harm reduction-based vaping recovery interventions that prioritize flexibility and incremental progress over complete cessation. This review calls for a paradigm shift in vaping recovery frameworks, advocating for participatory approaches that integrate youth voices and qualitative insights into intervention design.

Summary for Lay Audience

Youth vaping is a growing public health concern worldwide, with many young people developing nicotine dependence through e-cigarette use. E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid commonly infused with nicotine to produce a nicotine vapour for inhalation. Vaping recovery is a person-centred and evolving process in which an individual seeks to regain control over their nicotine and vaping use, often moving beyond the traditional focus on complete abstinence. Despite the identified need, recovery interventions aimed at helping youth reduce or regain control of vaping remain limited. A rigorous systematic review was conducted to identify and compare all available youth recovery interventions.

Six studies were identified, covering school-based programs, social media campaigns, text message programs, telehealth services, and psychological theory interventions. Text message programs offering motivational support and behavioural prompts reported the most statistically significant findings. These programs were accessible and aligned with youth technology use. However, these interventions primarily emphasized abstinence, leaving questions about their effectiveness for youth who are not ready or able to quit entirely and those who may benefit from nicotine replacement therapies. School-based programs reported little impact and focused on abstinence without addressing the social or emotional reasons youth vape. Social media campaigns reported significant attitude shifts but stated limited long-term effects on behaviour.

The review identified significant gaps in existing interventions, noting the overwhelming focus on complete cessation rather than a holistic recovery model. Few programs acknowledged the benefit of harm reduction, where youth may need to gradually reduce their vaping or utilize safer alternatives like nicotine gum or patches.

Social media platforms like TikTok emerged as important spaces where youth seek recovery advice, but it was underexplored in the literature. TikTok creators shared personal experiences that promote harm reduction and person-centred recovery, resonating with youth and addressing gaps in formal interventions.

Ultimately, this review emphasizes the need for public health initiatives to expand recovery interventions to include harm reduction and youth-centred approaches that reflect youth’s realities. By prioritizing adaptable and youth-centred approaches, policymakers and healthcare providers can better address the realities of youth vaping dependence to support the recovery process.

Download

Share

COinS