E-cigarette use among Canadian Youth: A review of the literature using an interdisciplinary lens

Abstract

Objective: The increasing use of e-cigarettes among Canadian youth is a concerning population health issue. Vaping, the act of using an e-cigarette, was initially marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, however its use is having unintended negative consequences on those who use them. One of the most concerning consequences is the presence of “e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury” (EVALI) which had led to hospitalization. Youth in particular are an overrepresented demographic affected by these negative consequences, likely as a result of both exposure to marketing, which is a well-established determinant of youth behavior as well as inadequate public policy. The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the literature surrounding the issue of e-cigarette use among youth from an interdisciplinary perspective. Method: A narrative review was conducted to summarize the state of e-cigarette use among young Canadians and conceptualize this problem from the perspective of public policy, followed by biomedicine, health economics and education. Results: The results of this review are a summary of the current state of the literature framed with an interdisciplinary perspective. Recommendations for how these interdisciplinary perspectives can be brought together to provide effective solutions for this population health issue are provided. Conclusion: Identifying and understanding this problem through an interdisciplinary approach has the potential to create effective and sustainable solutions. Partnerships between school boards and governmental bodies can enhance educational resource allocation and align messaging to youth through several platforms.