Perceptions of Vape Prevention Strategies Among Public Secondary School Staff: A Qualitative Review

Abstract

Background: The vaping crisis among today’s youth is continuing to grow [1]. Existing research offers no clear or consistent strategy to tackle this growing problem. Educators and administrators often serve as disciplinarians rather than educators when managing vape usage. This can be attributed to the lack of knowledge, training, and resources provided to public educators regarding vaping, nicotine use, and cessation strategies. Purpose: This qualitative study focused on discovering themes associated with public educators’ perceptions of vape education strategies based on their experiences as administrators. Methods: A semi-structured interview was performed with seven public school administrators and two public school counselors across seven schools within four different school districts in North Texas. Data obtained were reviewed for qualitative thematic analysis utilizing a phenomenological approach. Results: Analysis of qualitative data resulted in the identification of three primary themes associated with perceptions of vaping education and prevention: evasive student behavior, enforcement challenges, and the underpreparedness of staff to address the vaping issue. Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the multidimensional nature of the vaping crisis in public secondary schools. Data indicate that punitive strategies alone are inadequate. These results highlight the necessity for a more education-driven approach to address this public health concern.