How primary care addresses vaping in the youth: a systematic literature review

Abstract Background Vaping among youth has emerged as a significant public health concern. Primary care professionals are uniquely positioned to address this issue, but their practices, perceptions, and preparedness remain poorly understood. Objectives This systematic review aimed to explore how primary care professionals manage e-cigarette use among youth, focusing on three key areas: perceptions, screening practices, and counselling strategies. Design This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure rigour and transparency. Data sources For studies published from January 2000 to December 2024, a comprehensive search was conducted across Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, Global Health, and Scopus. Eligibility criteria Studies focusing on youth (aged 15–24), addressing e-cigarette use within primary care settings, and published in English were included. Exclusion criteria encompassed non-human studies, dual users, and articles without full text. Data extraction and synthesis From an initial pool of 896 publications, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Data extraction followed a structured process, identifying themes related to perceptions, knowledge, screening, and counselling. Results Clinicians’ perceptions of e-cigarettes seem to affect their likelihood of discussing usage with patients, while gaps in knowledge and inconsistent screening practices remain common obstacles. Screening rates for e-cigarettes were remarkably lower than those for traditional cigarette products. Counselling practices varied considerably, while strategies such as motivational interviewing and personalised counselling were described, overall practice remained inconsistent. Thus, highlighting missed opportunities for early intervention and the need for more structured and standardised clinical approaches. Conclusion Primary care professionals play a crucial role in addressing vaping among youth, but gaps in knowledge, inconsistent practices, and a lack of standardised guidelines limit their effectiveness. Targeted education, clear guidelines, and further research are essential to strengthen primary care interventions in this area.