REVAMP (Reducing Experimentation of Vaping AMong secondary school Students): P rotocol for an Intervention Development Study

BackgroundElectronic cigarettes ( vapes) and other nicotine products such as oral pouches are increasingly used by adolescents. Consumption of these products by young people creates the potential for nicotine addiction and future use of tobacco, as well as associated respiratory problems including coughing, wheezing, and lung inflammation. At present, there are very few evidence-based vaping and nicotine prevention interventions targeting young people in the UK secondary school setting. Considering this gap, combined with rising normalisation of vaping in young people, the proposed development study aims to address a growing public health concern by creating a secondary school-based vaping and nicotine prevention intervention. Materials and methodsREVAMP will involve three phases. Phase 1 will include a review of existing literature on a) school-based electronic cigarettes/vaping prevention programmes globally, and b) causal and contextual factors associated with young peoples vaping. Reviews will include grey literature searches alongside synthesis and updates of existing systematic reviews. Phase 2 will involve a qualitative study, conducting semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with secondary school students (n=16-20, age 11-13), school staff (n=6-8), parents and carers, and other stakeholders (n=20-26). These activities will explore the views and experiences of existing and future school-based approaches to vaping and nicotine consumption. In Phase 3 workshops will be held with students, school staff, parents and carers and wider stakeholders to consolidate findings from Phases 1 and 2 and collectively develop programme theory and intervention activities. Fieldwork for Phases 2-3 will take place in two secondary schools with profiles of high and low socioeconomic deprivation, respectively, within a single Scottish city. Findings will be disseminated through journal articles, conference presentations, local stakeholder events, and social media. DiscussionREVAMP presents a much-needed and timely pathway towards developing an evidence-based, school-based vaping prevention programme for young people in Scotland. This intervention will complement UK-Wide regulatory efforts to reduce vaping and nicotine product access and appeal for young people. Strengths of this development study include engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, co-creation activities with young people, and extensive exploration of the international evidence base.