Trust, Emotion, Resonance, and Relevance: Teen Reactions to Anti-Vaping Campaigns

Background Vaping among adolescents is an emerging public health concern, driven by increasing uptake and potential health risks. In Norway, use of e-cigarettes among young teenagers persists despite regulatory measures. Public service announcements (PSAs) are widely used to prevent vaping; however, evidence on how young adolescents perceive and engage with such messages remains limited. This study explores how Norwegian teenagers experience and evaluate anti-vaping PSAs, with particular attention to trust, emotional resonance, and perceived effectiveness. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with six adolescents aged 13–14 years from three schools in Tromsø, Norway. Participants were recruited through purposive convenience sampling. Each participant viewed four anti-vaping PSAs representing different communication strategies. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by the Perceived Effectiveness (PE) framework and the TENK ethical framework to guide interpretation of credibility, emotional engagement, and message reception. Results Participants identified peer messengers as more credible and relatable than adult or authority figures. PSAs that evoked emotional responses—such as fear, empathy, or discomfort—were perceived as more engaging and memorable than those emphasizing factual information alone. However, participants also expressed a need for clear, concrete explanations of vaping-related health risks. Emotional impact influenced both perceived effectiveness and willingness to share content, with social sharing framed as an important component of message diffusion among peers. Conclusions Anti-vaping PSAs targeting young adolescents should prioritize emotionally engaging content, incorporate peer-based messaging, and provide clear, accessible health information. Recognizing adolescents as both recipients and active disseminators of health messages may enhance the reach and impact of public health campaigns. These findings contribute to the development of more effective communication strategies for vaping prevention among early adolescents.