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A 91°”ÍűœûÇű study on vaping use among adolescents shows the need to engage youth and their communities to find solutions.

Since the study published in October 2025, the research team at continues to work closely with youth and their communities to better understand community-wide risks and supports.

Dr. David Borkenhagen, MP’15, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in psychiatry at the (CSM), was lead researcher of the study published in the  that examined changes in vape use among Canadian adolescents. The study team included clinical psychology graduate student Samarpreet Singh, BSc’24, and , PhD, of the , and , MD, PhD, of CSM.

The research captured use rates between 2014 and 2022 and included the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA), a federal government policy introduced in 2018 to create a comprehensive legal framework for vaping products alongside tobacco. It also determined the populations and regions most at risk.

One of the most important findings of the study was the impact of the TVPA. Counter to its purpose, vape use increased rather than decreased in the Act’s first year. Borkenhagen says evidence showing increased vaping following prohibition policies means researchers need to think beyond policy bans to identify more effective prevention measures. They need to understand more about the drivers of substance use in communities from a youth perspective.

“We wanted to know, how do we work with youth to understand their decision making, so they can change their behaviour around vaping use?” says Borkenhagen. “We wanted to learn more about how community-level factors, including the spaces that they live, play and go to school, are influencing their decisions to use substances.”

The researchers determined the best approach would be collaborative and directed by youth experiences and perspectives, says Borkenhagen. This means avoiding fear- and shame-based tactics and placing youth at the centre. Collaborations with local organizations who interact directly with young people, including the , enabled them to connect with youth through existing community networks.

In collaboration with the United Way, the researchers applied the Icelandic Prevention Model (IPM), a primary prevention model developed by the , which is based on the concept that social environments need to be changed in order to influence youth behaviour. The IPM uses a collaborative and community-driven approach focused on the broader social surroundings. It has proven effective in reducing youth substance use and has been adopted by many countries.

“Based on the success if the IPM, we knew we needed to talk to youth and engage with them directly, and that the work should be rooted in collaboration,” Borkenhagen says. 

Centring youth voices

The research team conducted two qualitative projects to capture youth experience. One project explored the definitions of mental health, wellness and community from the perspective of equity-deserving youth.

The second asked youth to interpret findings from a school survey asking students to report on the barriers and supports affecting substance use.

These discussions revealed that youth experience multiple challenges that affect their well-being. Poor sleep and self-care, fatigue, poor nutrition, and low energy were common. Many said they were up late at night with stress and racing thoughts, or on their phones for several hours before falling to sleep.

Participants also talked about experiencing gender-based double standards at home, at school, and in public places, and discussed how peers provided both a lifeline and a toxic environment. Feelings of exclusion were a common thread.

Findings also showed that youth have a desire for healthier habits and safe spaces, and need stigma-free, community-based supports. Cultural pressures and generational gaps also created barriers, while supportive adults, peers, and mentors were vital, youth said. “Community means being seen and accepted without explanation,” one participant shared.

Notes Borkenhagen: “These conversations helped us learn about the multiple risk and protective factors young people experience in communities that affect mental health and substance use beyond policy initiatives.” 

A caring approach

Borkenhagen says he wants to ensure youth stories and experiences are central, and that they inform decision making and advance prevention priorities co-designed by youth. The interest stems from both personal and professional understanding and concern about youth mental health and substance use, as well as a desire to help communities thrive.

“We’re getting away from ‘just say no’ models and approaches and looking more at social and contextual factors,” Borkenhagen says. “Rather than shaming, it’s putting more power into the youth — and the community that is responsible for them, too. It’s a more compassionate approach.”