A cross‑sectional survey and content analysis of local youth vaping prevention initiatives

Abstract Background Youth vaping is an increasing public health concern in the UK. While national strategies address regulation, little is known about local authority-led vaping prevention initiatives. This study synthesised information on existing local approaches to identify their scope, strengths, and areas for improvement. Methods A survey developed by the University of Bristol, in collaboration with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and Improving Performance in Practice (iPiP), was distributed to 130 local authorities in England. The survey collected data on initiative type, delivery, target age group, supporting evidence used, evaluation, and challenges. Respondents were encouraged to share supporting materials, which were then reviewed by experts to assess the initiative content, supporting evidence, and evidence of evaluation. Additionally, publicly available resources were found through online searches. Results Fifty-seven local authorities responded (44% response rate), with 52 reporting at least one vaping prevention initiative, and 41 reporting multiple initiatives, totalling 169 initiatives. The most common initiative types were school-based campaigns and online information resources, primarily targeting ages 11–16 years. Only 9 local authorities provided information about the effectiveness of their initiatives, and 4 had been adapted based on feedback or data collected. Common challenges faced by Local Authorities when developing and evaluating the initiatives included the inconsistent messaging about vaping, lack of resources, and the absence of national guidance. When delivering initiatives they were faced with limited engagement from schools. Some materials contained outdated information and inaccurate or potentially overstated claims. Conclusions Local authorities are implementing a diverse range of vaping prevention initiatives, though few are evaluated. Clearer national guidance and regular review of resources are needed to ensure consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness in youth vaping prevention efforts.