BACKGROUND-AIM:
Youth smoking has decreased in Finland, but the increasing use of new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, particularly among students in vocational institutions, is concerning. Daily use of nicotine pouches has grown significantly in recent years. Most experimentation and initiation of nicotine use occur before the age of 20, and high nicotine intake combined with multiple product use causes strong dependence. Nicotine poses serious health risks, especially to developing adolescent brains. Although many young people wish to quit, Finland has lacked cessation support services tailored for youth. Student health services play a critical role in addressing this gap. The aim was to develop and integrate a structured model for supporting nicotine cessation among youth into student health services, strengthening public health nurses’ knowledge and practical tools.

METHODS:
The model was developed using service design and the PDCA cycle. This began in 2023 with a theoretical framework and baseline assessment, followed by model development, piloting, and evaluation in 2024. Integration into practice started in 2025. The model comprises four phases: (1) initiating discussion and motivating cessation, (2) preparing to quit, (3) maintaining the cessation plan, and (4) supporting a nicotine-free lifestyle. It is based on the COM-B model and national Current Care Guidelines (2024). Implementation involved cooperation agreements with four wellbeing service counties. Nurses’ knowledge and skill needs were assessed through an initial survey. Nurses received training on nicotine-related issues, the model’s content, and practical tools, including case-based exercises. Feedback was collected by questionnaire.

RESULTS:
The model was integrated into four wellbeing services counties during 2024–2025, with 399 social and healthcare professionals trained. Initial surveys conducted among public health nurses showed that 91.1% (N=124) felt they did not have sufficient knowledge about the process of quitting nicotine use and how to support it. 87.9% (N=124) felt they lacked adequate means to help young people quit. Post-training results showed that nurses’ (N=83) knowledge of cessation support improved by 97.6%. Ability to support nicotine cessation improved by 100% (N=75). 96% (N=75) intend to use the model in their work.

CONCLUSIONS:
There is a clear need for youth-focused cessation support in Finland. The model and its tools are being adopted in student health services, enhancing nurses’ competence. Future steps include expanding implementation to additional regions, adapting tools for other youth services, and collecting follow-up data on usability and impact.