Vaping is Legal and We Are Talking About it: A Youth Empowerment Initiative
Kelly Young & Lara Lammers

4th Year Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing — University of Victoria at Selkirk College

Opportunity

In the last decade there has been a
rise in the number of youth who
vape. This is of growing concern
in The West Kootenays. We have
partnered with Salmo Secondary
School to work with the students.

Areas of Concern

Increase in addiction, normalized
vaping culture among youth,
accessibility of e-cigarettes,
knowledge deficit, short & longterm health consequences.

Process & Initiatives
Literature reviews on the health
effects of vaping and health
promotion in youth were
conducted. We assessed the
students through a survey and
participated in a pilot study. This
data informed the presentations.
The underlying principals used
were health promotion, youth
engagement, and building trusting
relationships.

Acknowledgments

Territorial: Sinixt, the Syilx,
Ktunaxa, and Secwepemc peoples
whose traditional land we live &
learn on.

Outcomes

We presented to four different
groups at Salmo Secondary
School via Zoom. After our
presentations we conducted a
questionnaire. The main
themes that emerged included;
an increased understanding of
the health consequences of
vaping, the prevalence of
nicotine in vapes, and safer
vaping practices.

Recommendations

This project would be
valuable in other schools in
The West Kootenays. A
sustainability resource was
created to support the
continuation of this project.
We have reached out to the
practice placement
coordinators, a paramedic
working with local schools,
Freedom Quest, and the
Selkirk Student Union to
make this happen.

Thank you to:
• Salmo School
• Misty Terpstra
• Shannon Shah
• Pilot Study
Participants

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References

Aoyama, B., & McGrathMorrow, S. (2020). Vaping
and electronic cigarette use in
the pediatric population.
Contemporary Pediatrics,
37(4), 20–23.
Chadi, N., & Belanger, R. E.
(2020). Teen vaping: There is
no vapour without fire.
Paediatrics & Child Health,
25(6), 337–339..
Image retrieved from Google.