Preventing vaping among young Europeans

Friday 10 April 2026

In recent years, the phenomenon of vaping – the use of e-cigarettes and similar devices – has rapidly expanded among children and adolescents, raising growing public health concerns. Often perceived as a ‘safer’ alternative to traditional smoking, these products are in fact associated with significant health risks, especially for developing bodies. Appealing flavours, sleek technological designs, and strong visibility on social media make them particularly attractive to young people, while awareness of their potential harms remains limited.

At the same time, the speed at which new nicotine products enter the market makes it increasingly difficult for parents, educators, and policymakers to keep up. Traditional prevention strategies are no longer sufficient: innovative, evidence-based approaches are needed to effectively engage younger generations. In this context, early intervention becomes essential to strengthen critical thinking skills and create more informed and protective environments.

Against this backdrop, the RELIEF project has officially started, bringing together a diverse European consortium committed to reduce exposure and use of emerging tobacco products among adolescents.

Understanding risks to intervene effectively

RELIEF responds to a growing concern: young people are increasingly exposed to e-cigarettes and other emerging tobacco products, often without fully understanding their health risks, while educators and parents lack adequate tools to intervene effectively.

Per affrontare questa sfida, RELIEF metterà in campo una strategia integrata che parte dalla conoscenza profonda We will begin by mapping existing initiatives and conducting an in-depth study of the attitudes and behaviours of students, parents, and educators across Europe. This work will be supported by data-driven analysis, using innovative behavioural and computational methods to accurately identify the key risk factors among young people.

Based on these findings, we will move into the operational phase by focusing on digital innovation. We will develop and test an interactive toolkit designed to provide practical support for prevention and education. At the same time, we will focus on skills development, designing specific materials and workshops to equip educators, parents, and healthcare professionals with the tools they need to intervene effectively.

The project’s impact will also be driven by direct awareness-raising: we will launch targeted communication campaigns to encourage critical thinking and increase awareness among young people. Finally, the insights gained on the ground will be translated into concrete policy recommendations for national and European decision-makers to help shape new prevention strategies. Through these actions, RELIEF aims to reduce tobacco and nicotine consumption among youth, strengthening prevention capabilities at every level.

Through these actions, RELIEF aims to reduce the initiation of tobacco and nicotine use among youth, strengthen prevention capacities, and contribute to more effective regulatory frameworks.

RELIEF is focused on creating sustainable, scalable strategies that can continue to support public health efforts beyond the project’s duration. By combining evidence, innovation, and stakeholder engagement, the project contributes to a broader European vision of healthier, more informed generations.

RELIEF offers training tools for schools, organisations and a wide range of professionals

RELIEF actively engages a wide range of stakeholders, including schools, educators, parents, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and civil society organisations.

Schools and organisations interested in participating in pilot activities, stakeholders willing to contribute to policy dialogue, and professionals seeking tools and training are invited to get involved.

Together, it is possible to build safer environments and empower young people to make healthier choices.

To learn more about the project, follow its activities, or explore collaboration opportunities, contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org

About RELIEF

RELIEF – InteRvening EarLier In life for hEalthier liFestyles aims to generate evidence-based solutions to reduce early exposure to harmful products and promote healthier lifestyles among young people. The project is funded by the EU4Health Programme, which supports actions on disease prevention, health promotion, and strengthening health systems across Europe.