Getting support to give up smoking or vaping
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what happens when someone quits smoking or vaping, and explain how support makes it easier to stop.
Key learning points
- Quitting smoking or vaping helps the body recover and feel healthier.
- Nicotine addiction can make quitting difficult, but support helps.
- Using NHS or local stop-smoking services makes quitting more successful.
- Cravings and mood changes are normal when giving up nicotine.
- Trusted adults and professionals can guide and encourage quitting safely.
Keywords
Nicotine - an addictive drug that cigarettes and some vapes contain
Addiction - a loss of control over doing, taking or using something even when it is harmful
Support - the actions taken to help someone who is in a difficult or dangerous situation, such as providing care and seeking medical attention
Common misconception
People should be able to stop smoking or vaping on their own.
Nicotine is addictive, which means quitting alone can be very hard. Support from trusted adults, NHS services or community advisers gives people practical help and encouragement, making success much more likely.
Teacher tip
Use positive and supportive language — focus on health and recovery, not blame. Explain that vaping can help adults who already smoke, but it’s not safe or needed for children.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes a substance in tobacco smoke that can cause cancer and damage to the lungs?
Q2.Making benefits physical and mental health.
Q3.Which statement is correct?
Q4.Match the harmful product to the type of serious health condition it can cause.
at least 16 different types of cancer
risky for young people as nicotine can harm the developing brain
gum problems and tooth damage
Q5.Starting with the earliest, order the steps to explain how smoking can damage the lungs.
Q6.What is 'passive smoking'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why might an adult use a vape, even though vaping isn’t safe for young people?
Q2.Match the words to their correct definitions.
an addictive drug that cigarettes and some vapes contain
a loss of control over doing something even when it is harmful
the actions taken to help someone who is in a difficult situation
Q3.A friend says people should be able to quit smoking or vaping on their own without help. Why is support from services like the NHS Quitline or local pharmacies important when quitting?
Q4.Match the quitting smoking milestone with the health improvement the person is now experiencing.
their breathing improves
their circulation gets better
their energy increases
their risk of heart disease drops by half
Q5.Jordan has quit vaping and feels irritable and is finding it hard to concentrate. What advice should Jordan's friend give him?
Q6.Which source of support offers free medical advice, quit plans and daily encouragement for those trying to quit smoking, vaping or using nicotine products?
To help you plan your 7 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Getting support to give up smoking or vaping, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Getting support to give up smoking or vaping, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Risky substances: What do I need to know about tobacco and vaping? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.