What’s the problem with vaping?
Background to the resources
There is an increasing feeling amongst young people that vaping is cool and glamorous and can’t be as bad as smoking; so surely it must be ok to try? Recent reports highlight this rapidly increasing problem and our local knowledge from young people, schools and youth organisations reflects this.
Using
research from the University of Southampton, which reveals the dangers in
assuming vaping is a healthier habit than cigarette smoking, we wanted to
co-create with young people a set of resources for use in schools, colleges and youth settings.
These resources highlight the negative
consequences of vaping, and activate young people’s sense of social justice by
spotlighting the marketing tactics being used.
Working
with members of our Youth Panel we began by carrying out focus groups with
groups of young people, asking the question ‘What’s the problem with
vaping?’ We discussed their thoughts, opinions, and ideas around vaping, solutions to educate and inform and signposting for young people who want to stop. Using the feedback from the focus groups and input from staff at the
Faculty of Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, who provided clinical and research expertise, the
resources were created by young people for young people.
The
resources include:
- Teachers' lesson plan
- Teachers' PowerPoint
- Activity cards looking at health risks and consequences
- Virtual reality animated video highlighting the influences on young
people
- Case study worksheets
- Smoking vs Vaping timeline activity cards
- Vaping keywords wordsearch
The activities have
been designed to be taught either together as one lesson or delivered as
shorter standalone activities.
