Table 1.

Assessment questions for youth who report using a vaping product or device

Questions	Rationale
Product information • What type and brand of vape are you using? • Where and how do you obtain your cartridges, pods, or vaping liquid? • Do they come from a legitimate vendor, or could they be black market products?	Early data suggest that illicit market products are associated more strongly with VALI and other vaping-related harms. Elicit and report product- level information for public health authorities in cases of vaping-related injury or illness.
Vaping substances • What type of cartridge or liquid do you usually use? Are there others you sometimes use? • Do they contain nicotine? THC? Flavouring? • Do you know the concentration (or milligram content) of nicotine or THC in the cartridge or liquid you use?	Vaping nicotine and THC place youth at risk for nicotine and CUD, and products with higher concentrations of either appear to carry greater risk for VALI.
Motives • How old were you when you started vaping? • Why did you start? • Why do you continue to vape? What are the downsides of vaping you’ve experienced?	Early-onset substance use is associated with greater lifetime risk for substance use disorders. Examining the reasons for vaping can inform motivational interviewing and cessation counselling.
Context • How long after you wake up do you first vape? • Are you vaping at home, in school, or at work? • Do you vape alone? Or with friends or family?	Context can inform cessation counselling.
Frequency and intensity • How many days per week/times per day are you vaping? Do you vape regularly throughout the day? • How long does a cartridge last? How many cartridges do you go through in a typical week? • Or, how much liquid do you use in a typical day or week?	Frequent use places youth at risk for withdrawal symptoms, requiring support planning.
Vaping-related harms • Have you tried quitting? • How long were you able to go without vaping? • What happens when you stop? Do you experience cravings (strong feelings that you want to use again) or other negative feelings? • If vaping nicotine: Do you experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (i.e., irritability, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, increased appetite)? • If vaping THC: Do you experience negative impacts from use, or symptoms of cannabis withdrawal (i.e., anxiety, hostility, difficulty sleeping, low appetite, depressed mood)? ◦ Have you ever experienced episodes of persistent vomiting? ◦ Have you ever experienced symptoms of paranoia and/or heard voices or seen things that weren’t really there?	Cessation attempts can be hampered by cravings and other withdrawal symptoms. For nicotine, symptoms can be reduced with pharmacotherapy.

Note: Using vaping terms familiar to youth is advised

Adapted from reference (54).

THC Tetrahydrocannabinol; VALI Vaping-associated lung injury.