A Photovoice exploration of youth vaping

For over a decade, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been the most used tobacco product among US youth. Although past research has stressed the importance of tailoring health communication messaging and interventions, much more work remains to be done in this area. To learn about youth views on vaping from their firsthand experience, we employed Photovoice to examine how youth experience vaping in their everyday lives.

Through Photovoice methodology and the SHOWED approach to discussion in 2022, we engaged US youth in conversation about vaping exposure and outcomes, focusing on how they experience vaping in their everyday lives. Employing the constant comparative method, discussion transcripts and notes were analyzed, revealing two overarching themes.

Pervasiveness and Promotion, the first theme, illustrated the ever-present nature of vaping in the experiences of study participants. Health and Environmental Impacts, the second theme, described participants' apprehensions regarding vaping's negative effects.

Overall, the examples, perspectives, and conclusions that the youth participants shared throughout these discussions illuminated frequent exposure to e-cigarette use and marketing as well as many concerns about the risks associated with use. Health communication messaging in these areas may be useful in refining existing and crafting new prevention and cessation campaigns.