A new study from Western University researchers has found that addressing the health risks of vaping through expert advice and personal testimony can help students steer clear of vaping. Electronic cigarettes.
Published in the Journal of Health Psychology on Friday, the researchers gathered online 77 university students from six provinces, all of whom smoked e-cigarettes or other smoking products and devices. at least 5 to 15 times a month.
The participants were then divided into groups to watch one of two videos. The first video discusses the importance of a healthy lifestyle with general nutrition and exercise tips, while the second explains what vaping is and its potential health risks as outlined by medical professionals. economy and other e-cigarette users.
Over the course of 45 days, researchers followed the participants to see how their feelings towards vaping changed and found that those who watched the second video were more likely to express an intention to stop. or reduce their vaping habits.
Participants were asked about their vaping intentions and behaviors, and while the overall action of vaping did not change significantly, the researchers hypothesized that the intention to stop vaping could translate into lead vaping behavior. to quit smoking.
Over the past few years, there has been growing concern about its use among adolescents and young adults.
“It’s a model of misunderstanding or misconception about the product that I believe will end up following the same linear path as cigarettes over the next 30 years,” said lead researcher Babac Salmani.
Health Canada and its advocates have called for more interventions beyond warning labels on products to make it less accessible to young people, especially as selling online can be difficult to adjust to. youth.
According to Statistics Canada, vaping is most popular among Canadians aged 15 to 24 and has increased significantly since nicotine-based e-cigarettes were legalized in 2018. However, vaping rates among those from 15 to 17-year-olds are nearly four times taller than 12- to 14-year-olds, according to data from 2019.
Data on the health risks associated with vaping remains a mystery, but some studies suggest that the misuse of e-cigarettes can lead to lung damage or even pneumonia. Some e-cigarette products in Canada and the United States have also been made to feature fruit-flavored aerosols, raising concerns among some advocates about how appealing it might seem to teenagers. .
Salmani said he hopes his research can further investigate the long-term effects of vaping and the need for education and intervention in the community.
“Hopefully provincial and federal governments or health agencies can implement these types of interventions in schools and clinics or community centers so that people understand the impact of these behaviors,” he said. What is this?”
