Teens Talk Vaping: A co-produced participatory study exploring teens’ reflections on vaping experiences and exposures in their everyday environments

Stephanie E. Coen; Kendra Nelson Ferguson; Shauna M. Burke; Timothy-Jireh E. Dela Cruz; Laila Girum; Gabriela I. Guisandes Bueno; Rebecca Haines-Saah; Tanya Iwas; Bhargav Kandlakuti; Aliana Manji; Purushoth Megarajah; Ricardo Soto Canales; Terry Spencer; Danielle Tobin; Jason A. Gilliland

SSM: Qualitative Research in Health (Dec 2023)

Teens Talk Vaping: A co-produced participatory study exploring teens’ reflections on vaping experiences and exposures in their everyday environments

Stephanie E. Coen,
Kendra Nelson Ferguson,
Shauna M. Burke,
Timothy-Jireh E. Dela Cruz,
Laila Girum,
Gabriela I. Guisandes Bueno,
Rebecca Haines-Saah,
Tanya Iwas,
Bhargav Kandlakuti,
Aliana Manji,
Purushoth Megarajah,
Ricardo Soto Canales,
Terry Spencer,
Danielle Tobin,
Jason A. Gilliland

Affiliations

Stephanie E. Coen: School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Corresponding author. School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom.
Kendra Nelson Ferguson: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Shauna M. Burke: School of Health Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
Timothy-Jireh E. Dela Cruz: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Laila Girum: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Gabriela I. Guisandes Bueno: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Rebecca Haines-Saah: Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tanya Iwas: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Bhargav Kandlakuti: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Aliana Manji: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Purushoth Megarajah: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Ricardo Soto Canales: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Terry Spencer: London District Catholic School Board, London, Ontario, Canada
Danielle Tobin: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
Jason A. Gilliland: Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEAL), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4
p. 100367

Abstract

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Abstract: Increasing prevalence of vaping (e-cigarette use) among youth in Canada and elsewhere has become a serious public health concern. The Teens Talk Vaping project sought to co-produce research about teen vaping with teens to generate in-depth qualitative evidence about the everyday socio-environmental dimensions of teen vaping experiences and exposures across perspectives of both teens who vape and those who do not. Our participatory approach included a capacity-building programme to train teen team members to contribute to the project as ‘co-researchers’, equipping them with the research skills necessary to contribute to all phases of the project, from data collection through to knowledge translation. Paired with adult researchers, teen co-researchers facilitated 7 online focus groups with teens (n=17) from across Canada, including teens who vaped (n=3) and those who did not (n=14). Our participatory thematic analysis generated five themes: (1) Secrecy and surveillance at school; (2) Online omnipresence; (3) Social pressures and positionings; (4) (Un)restricted mobilities and access; and (5) Re-thinking school-based vaping education. Our findings reveal the extent to which exposure to vaping is deeply embedded and normalized in the everyday micro-geographies of teens in Canada as seemingly ‘everywhere.’ Teen vaping prevention efforts must be equity-centred, youth-driven, and take account of the nuanced ways in which vaping is layered into the day-to-day online and offline contexts of young people’s lives.

Published in SSM: Qualitative Research in Health

ISSN: 2667-3215 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ssm-qualitative-research-in-health

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