Informing Youth-Led Vaping Cessation Support in Aotearoa: Rangatahi Perspectives on Autonomy, Privacy, and Support

Abstract

Aotearoa New Zealand has among the highest youth vaping rates in the world, almost three times higher than Australia, Canada, and the USA. With the aim of curbing youth vaping, new regulatory changes including restrictions on visibility and promotion, banning disposable devices and enhancing age-verification rules were introduced in Aotearoa in 2025. Despite these measures there is still a significant number of rangatahi (young people) vaping and a gap in vaping cessation tools exists. This mixed-methods research project explored the impacts of vaping for rangatahi in Aotearoa, the ethical barriers to intervention, and how youth-led co-design could inform the development of cessation tools. Conducted during the introduction of the 2025 legislative changes, the study gathered
qualitative insights from interviews with rangatahi and stakeholders, including researchers and educators. These insights were synthesised with survey data from young people and a separate survey of whanau | caregivers. Data collection concluded with a co-design workshop in which rangatahi generated ideas for cessation tools that reflected their needs, autonomy, and preferences for support.
Five key themes were developed through analysis. First, participants and stakeholders favoured supportive, restorative, and health-led responses to vaping over punitive school approaches. Second, privacy, trust, and autonomy shaped whether young people felt safe seeking support, particularly where data use was transparent, consent-based, and protected from punitive consequences. Third,
rangatahi often framed vaping as normalised, social, casual, or low harm, despite evidence of dependence or difficulty quitting. Fourth, barriers to cessation included addiction, habit, oral fixation, routine, stress, and social triggers. Finally, participants identified the need for youth-centred cessation tools that are co-designed, practical, private, culturally responsive, and grounded in young peoples’ lived realities.
The findings highlight the complexity of youth vaping and the fact that easy access and social norms sustain use. Therefore, interventions must target the social environment and the individual. Further, there is a need for a shift from punitive, fear-based responses towards compassionate, inclusive strategies prioritising long-term well-being and empowering rangatahi to make informed choices.
Overall, the findings underline the value of co-designing cessation interventions with rangatahi, as youth-led approaches can support autonomy, trust, and more relevant pathways to quitting.