Preventing E-cigarette use among high-risk adolescents: A trauma-informed prevention approach

Abstract

Exposure to childhood trauma increases the risk of tobacco use during adolescence. Recent studies have also reported potentially increased vulnerabilities to electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) use among youth with a history of childhood trauma. While empirical evidence supporting the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent e‐cigarette use is emerging, few effective preventive interventions are available to curb e‐cigarette use among adolescent victims of childhood trauma. This article reviews current evidence with respect to how childhood trauma could increase risk for nicotine dependence and e-cigarette use in adolescent populations. Furthermore, this paper describes the development, design, and implementation of Rise Above (RA), a randomized, controlled trial of a trauma-informed, e‐cigarette preventive intervention. Lessons learned are also discussed, including the challenges of implementing evidence-informed prevention work within communities vulnerable to traumatic events.