Lay summary
Aotearoa is facing an epidemic of youth vaping with associated physical and mental health problems and increased school absenteeism. Data on vaping prevalence show that Māori and Pacific students are overrepresented. This project's researchers are members of Stop Adolescents Vaping E-Cigarettes (S.A.V.E), a multi-disciplinary collective of Hawke's Bay professionals working with a wider Youth Vaping National Network. The focus of this research is to understand reasons for vaping in intermediate and high-school students, and to assess their knowledge around health-harms associated with vaping. To our knowledge, this will be the first study in Aotearoa to formally explore an in-depth analysis on these topics. A literature review will also be conducted to scope culturally and age appropriate, youth vaping-cessation programmes for Aotearoa. We propose that findings from this project will pathway into further research to develop national culturally appropriate (Māori, Pacifica), educational programmes with our stakeholders, serving as a health intervention.