Rising experimentation with e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products among children is an increasing public health concern across Europe. Addressing this trend requires prevention efforts that begin early in life and are grounded in scientific evidence. In response, the EU-funded project InteRvening EarLier in life for hEalthier liFestyles (RELIEF) was officially launched on 13–14 January 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus.
The RELIEF Project Kick-off Meeting took place at the Municipal Library of the Cyprus University of Technology, bringing together project partners from Cyprus, Greece, Iceland, Belgium, Italy, and Spain, with participation both in person and online. The meeting marked the start of a three-year collaboration coordinated by the Centre for Social Innovation, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles through early prevention.
During the first day, partners were welcomed by the coordinating organisation and engaged in a detailed presentation of the RELIEF project, alongside an overview of financial and administrative procedures. The second day focused on coordination and implementation, including contributions from a representative of the Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Discussions covered all project work packages, including communication and dissemination activities, development of a digital health toolkit, research and mapping of existing initiatives, school-based programme implementation, and the translation of research evidence into policy recommendations. The meeting concluded with a wrap-up session, laying a strong foundation for effective cooperation among partners.
An awareness event held on 13 January 2026, shortly before the Kick-off Meeting and at the same venue, further underlined the urgency of early prevention. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and civil society organisations to discuss evidence-based strategies to address the growing use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products among children.
Evidence presented during the discussions highlighted early experimentation, high accessibility, and gender differences in e-tobacco use, alongside widespread perceptions that these products are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Opening remarks by representatives of the Centre for Social Innovation, the Cyprus National Addictions Authority, and the Cyprus University of Technology emphasised the need for coordinated prevention efforts beginning in early childhood. An address by the HaDEA Project Adviser placed RELIEF within broader European initiatives promoting healthy lifestyles through early intervention.
Findings drawing on data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) demonstrated that awareness alone is insufficient to prevent uptake. Effective prevention requires sustained action within children’s everyday environments, including schools and families. In this context, the RELIEF project was presented, outlining its focus on children aged 6–12, as well as parents, teachers, and school communities, and its aim to develop evidence-based tools, training resources, awareness activities, and policy recommendations that avoid fear-based messaging.
Additional contributions from the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP) and a presentation on the Icelandic Prevention Model illustrated the effectiveness of coordinated, community-based, and evidence-driven approaches in reducing youth substance use.
The event concluded with a shared recognition that protecting children from emerging tobacco and nicotine products requires early, integrated, and scientifically grounded action. Together, the awareness event and the Kick-off Meeting established a clear framework and strong momentum for the implementation of the RELIEF project across Europe over the next three years.
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