A NEW vaping education program being rolled out in schools around Australia has been hailed as one of the most successful school-based strategies in the world for curbing youth e-cigarette use.
Developed by the University of Sydney, the Vaping Prevention Program was found to reduce the likelihood of adolescent vaping by 65% a year after completing the program, compared to students who received standard health education.
Researchers tested the program on year seven and eight students in 20 schools, with another 20 schools serving as controls.
There were about 2,500 students in each group.
The program was well received by students and teachers alike - more than 80% of students rated the program positively and felt the skills and information they learned would help them in the future, and almost 90% of teachers scored it positively.
"Adolescents who vape are being exposed to harmful and addictive chemicals during critical stages of brain development," explained program lead Dr Lauren Gardner.
"This can affect the brain's reward pathway and increase the risk of addiction to both nicotine and other substances.
"The Our Futures Vaping Prevention Program is the only school-based program in Australia, and one of only a few in the world, that is proven to reduce students' likelihood of vaping," Dr Gardner added.
Read the paper HERE.
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