Abstract

The increasing prevalence of electronic cigarette use (vaping) among adolescents has become a major global public health concern, yet its implications for nursing practice remain insufficiently synthesized. This scoping review aimed to map current evidence on vaping among adolescents and examine its implications for nursing practice. The review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of major databases identified peer-reviewed, open-access articles published between 2020 and 2025 focusing on adolescent vaping. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that vaping is the most commonly used nicotine product among adolescents, with initiation driven by peer influence, social acceptability, flavored products, and misperceptions of harm. Evidence also demonstrates associations between adolescent vaping and increased risks of nicotine dependence, initiation of combustible cigarette smoking, respiratory symptoms, and psychosocial problems. The reviewed literature highlights the critical role of nurses in early identification, health education, counseling, and prevention, particularly in school and community settings, while also revealing gaps in nursing-specific guidelines and training. These findings underscore the need to strengthen nursing education and evidence-informed interventions to address adolescent vaping effectively.