CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The "Peer Power Vaping Prevention" initiative
1
Riga Stradins University, Riga , Latvia
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A188
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Adolescent uptake of e-cigarettes and tobacco remains a significant public health concern, influenced by peer dynamics and misperceptions of harm. School-based prevention programmes are most effective when they address social influence and build refusal skills. This project aims to prevent the initiation of vaping and smoking among students aged 12–13 by leveraging trained peer educators to increase knowledge of health risks and strengthen self-efficacy in resisting tobacco-related social pressure.
METHODS:
A school-based, peer-led intervention is proposed using a structured multi-phase approach. Peer educators (aged 14–16) are recruited based on social credibility and non-smoking status after completing a 2-day training covering health risks, social influences, communication, and facilitation skills. The intervention consists of four 45-minute interactive workshops delivered over four weeks to Grade 7 students, incorporating role-play, discussions, and media literacy. Evaluation follows a pre–post design assessing changes in knowledge and self-efficacy. A teacher-mentor system ensures implementation fidelity.
RESULTS:
The project is expected to increase knowledge of health risks by 20%, improving self-efficacy to refuse tobacco-related offers by 15%. The peer-led format enhances engagement and acceptance of prevention messages, with high participation and positive feedback reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
This initiative aims to demonstrate the potential of peer-led school-based interventions to reduce youth vaping and smoking. Its structured design, curriculum integration, and reusable toolkit support scalability and sustainability. Implementation of national tobacco and nicotine policy in Danish schools
Adolescent uptake of e-cigarettes and tobacco remains a significant public health concern, influenced by peer dynamics and misperceptions of harm. School-based prevention programmes are most effective when they address social influence and build refusal skills. This project aims to prevent the initiation of vaping and smoking among students aged 12–13 by leveraging trained peer educators to increase knowledge of health risks and strengthen self-efficacy in resisting tobacco-related social pressure.
METHODS:
A school-based, peer-led intervention is proposed using a structured multi-phase approach. Peer educators (aged 14–16) are recruited based on social credibility and non-smoking status after completing a 2-day training covering health risks, social influences, communication, and facilitation skills. The intervention consists of four 45-minute interactive workshops delivered over four weeks to Grade 7 students, incorporating role-play, discussions, and media literacy. Evaluation follows a pre–post design assessing changes in knowledge and self-efficacy. A teacher-mentor system ensures implementation fidelity.
RESULTS:
The project is expected to increase knowledge of health risks by 20%, improving self-efficacy to refuse tobacco-related offers by 15%. The peer-led format enhances engagement and acceptance of prevention messages, with high participation and positive feedback reported.
CONCLUSIONS:
This initiative aims to demonstrate the potential of peer-led school-based interventions to reduce youth vaping and smoking. Its structured design, curriculum integration, and reusable toolkit support scalability and sustainability. Implementation of national tobacco and nicotine policy in Danish schools
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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