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IARC 60th Anniversary - 19-21 May 2026

Session : 20/05/26 - Posters

VapeOFF Movement: Digital Communication for the Prevention of Electronic Cigarette Use among Youth in Brazil

DE SOUZA REIS R. 1, SCAFF A. 1, DA SILVA DE LIMA F. 1, NASCIMENTO DA SILVA D. 1, MARTINS T. 1

1 Fundação do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes has increased at an alarming rate among Brazilian youth, representing an emerging public health challenge. Recent studies indicate that more than 20% of young people have already experimented with these devices, amid the widespread circulation of misleading information regarding their safety. In this context, the Cancer Foundation launched the VapeOFF Movement in 2024, with support from the National Association of Private Universities (ANUP), aiming to engage young audiences through educational, accessible, and youth-oriented strategies. The initiative seeks to address communication gaps and promote awareness of risks, self-care, and prevention by adopting innovative engagement approaches. Objectives: To promote accessible, evidence-based information on the risks associated with electronic cigarette use, engage young people and other audiences in self-care strategies, and support the strengthening of tobacco control public policies through educational digital communication. Methods: The movement was developed using a multiplatform and inclusive approach. Content was produced based on scientific evidence and translated into simplified language, adapted to different audience profiles. Implementation included interactive materials, videos, partnerships with digital influencers, gamified tools, social media actions, and a dedicated platform for disseminating accessible information. Digital educational resources were made freely available, allowing reuse and adaptation by educational institutions, NGOs, and civil society organizations. The strategy also incorporated advocacy actions, partnerships with universities, and digital amplification to achieve nationwide reach. Results: The VapeOFF Movement demonstrated broad geographic and demographic reach, impacting diverse audiences through digital channels. The use of contemporary language resulted in higher engagement, particularly among young people, a group traditionally difficult to mobilize in health prevention initiatives. The availability of accessible and replicable materials encouraged their adoption by educational institutions and community organizations, strengthening the project’s applicability across different contexts. Additionally, the use of influencers, interactive formats, and audiovisual communication increased the attractiveness of the message and expanded its potential social impact, contributing to the debunking of myths surrounding the safety of electronic devices and reinforcing self-care attitudes. Conclusion: The VapeOFF Movement represents an innovative and disruptive approach to tobacco prevention, integrating scientific evidence, digital communication, and active learning methodologies. Its strong engagement capacity, nationwide scope, and ease of replication position the project as an effective and scalable health education strategy. The initiative demonstrates that combining technology, accessible language, and social mobilization can strengthen preventive public policies and promote behavioral change, contributing to the reduction of experimentation and use of electronic cigarettes among young people.