Risky substances: What do I need to know about tobacco and vaping?
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Why this why now
As Year 7 pupils encounter increased peer influence and exposure to tobacco and vaping through social circles and media, they need accurate information to make informed choices. This unit provides essential health education about the serious risks of smoking and vaping, equips pupils with refusal skills, and normalises seeking support. Positioned early in Key Stage 3, it aims to prevent experimentation during a critical period when habits form, protecting pupils' long-term physical and mental health.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils should understand from Key Stage 2 that smoking is harmful to health and that breathing in smoke from cigarettes can damage the lungs and body.
- Pupils should know basic strategies for saying no to peer pressure from previous units, including being confident in their own choices and seeking support from trusted adults.
- Pupils should be familiar with accessing healthcare support from previous health units, understanding that doctors, nurses and other professionals can provide help and advice.
Threads
Why this why now
As Year 7 pupils encounter increased peer influence and exposure to tobacco and vaping through social circles and media, they need accurate information to make informed choices. This unit provides essential health education about the serious risks of smoking and vaping, equips pupils with refusal skills, and normalises seeking support. Positioned early in Key Stage 3, it aims to prevent experimentation during a critical period when habits form, protecting pupils' long-term physical and mental health.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Pupils should understand from Key Stage 2 that smoking is harmful to health and that breathing in smoke from cigarettes can damage the lungs and body.
- Pupils should know basic strategies for saying no to peer pressure from previous units, including being confident in their own choices and seeking support from trusted adults.
- Pupils should be familiar with accessing healthcare support from previous health units, understanding that doctors, nurses and other professionals can provide help and advice.
Risky substances: What do I need to know about tobacco and vaping?
This unit explores the serious health risks of smoking, vaping and nicotine products. Pupils learn why these substances are harmful, understand their impact on physical and mental health, develop strategies to resist pressure, and know how to access support for quitting.
4 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Risky substances: What do I need to know about tobacco and vaping? unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary rshe (pshe) curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary rshe (pshe) programmes.