VCOM View Magazine Vol. 14 | No. 1

Research Clearing the Air:

VCOM-Auburn Medical Students Lead Research on Teen Tobacco Awareness

by Brittany Lilla

A team of third-year medical students from VCOM-Auburn is making an impact beyond the classroom. Through a research project focused on tobacco and e-cigarette use among high school students, the students are addressing a pressing public health concern: What do Alabama teens really know about the dangers of tobacco? The student-led research project, “Examining Awareness of Adverse Effects of Tobacco Use and Assessing Current Tobacco Use Among Alabama Teens,” began with a simple but important question—how much do teenagers understand about the harmful effects of cigarettes, vaping, and other tobacco products? The answers they found may help shape future health education across the region. Launching the Project The team, made up of Rachael Hildebrand, Jennifer Friery, Emeri Nosal, and Peter Ern, began their work with a literature review examining national and regional trends in youth tobacco use, with particular attention to the rise of vaping among adolescents. Under the guidance of faculty mentor Mayra Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, discipline chair of epidemiology, community and public health at VCOM-Auburn, the students

applied for and received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to carry out their research. With approval secured, the students created a survey designed to assess both students’ awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco products and their current or past use. It included questions about perceptions of addiction, knowledge of ingredients in e-cigarettes, and intentions regarding future use. Expanding the Impact The project began in a health science classroom at Beauregard High School. The initial round of data collection served as a pilot study, offering early insights into students’ knowledge and behavior. Encouraged by the quality of the responses and the enthusiasm from the school, the team expanded the study to include all students in grades 9 through 12. The survey results revealed some encouraging trends. Most students reported they had never tried traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes and expressed a strong likelihood of never initiating use. Additionally, many respondents demonstrated an understanding of the addictive nature of nicotine. However, the data also uncovered notable knowledge gaps. A significant number of students

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