JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Youth vaping remains a pressing public health issue in Canada, with rates increasing since 2017 and rebounding after a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. As youth engagement with traditional public health warnings declines, innovative strategies are needed. Visually compelling, youth-driven digital content, such as interactive infographics, may help bridge knowledge gaps, enhance risk perception, and support more informed decision-making. Despite this potential, limited research has assessed their effectiveness in conveying vaping-related harms to youth.

Objective:

To address this gap, the current study evaluates the impact of a co-developed, youth-informed digital infographic, “What’s in a Vape?”, on enhancing vaping education and improving youth understanding of vaping-related harms.

Methods:

A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed to assess the impact of a youth-informed digital infographic embedded within the Youth Vaping Information Project (Youth VIP) survey. The infographic was created in collaboration with youth co-researchers and youth advisory councils to ensure relevance. Participants were recruited through community partners, school boards, and youth networks, with a final sample of 63 high school students aged 14 to 19 (Mage = 16.5), primarily from Ontario and British Columbia. The survey evaluated baseline knowledge of vaping, engagement with the infographic, and post-exposure perceptions on whether the content contributed to increased awareness or understanding of vaping.

Results:

Quantitative analysis showed that 87.3% of participants agreed that the infographic effectively communicated key information, and 85.7% gained new knowledge about vaping. Additionally, 61.9% found it was presented in an easy and meaningful way, while 52.3% indicated they would definitely share the infographic with others, reflecting strong engagement. Thematic analysis of qualitative feedback revealed four key themes: 1) Visual content enabled gaining new insights and knowledge into vaping, 2) Positive impact of visual design on engagement with information, 3) Sourced information enhanced credibility of the infographic information, and 4) Digital design of infographic made complex information more understandable. Qualitative feedback emphasized that youth appreciated the infographic’s engaging design, clarity, and scientific support.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the potential of youth-driven digital infographics to serve as effective health communication tools. Findings highlight the importance of peer-led design, evidence-based content, and interactive, visually compelling formats in enhancing youth comprehension and receptiveness to health messaging. By integrating youth feedback in development and prioritizing digital engagement, the infographic bridged knowledge gaps while reinforcing the credibility and clarity of its content. These results suggest that such approaches may complement broader public health strategies to curb youth vaping and inform future educational interventions. Continued research is warranted to assess long-term impacts on attitudes and behaviour.