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Lesson 1 of 4
  • Year 7

Smoking and vaping

I can explain what smoking and vaping are and the laws surrounding them.

Lesson 1 of 4
New
New
  • Year 7

Smoking and vaping

I can explain what smoking and vaping are and the laws surrounding them.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Smoking is the act of burning cigarettes (tobacco products) and inhaling the smoke.
  2. Vapes are devices that allow you to inhale nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke.
  3. Most vapes and all tobacco products contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance.
  4. People may begin smoking or vaping due to peer pressure, because they think it looks 'cool' or as a way to relax.
  5. There are multiple UK laws intended to reduce the number of people smoking and vaping.

Keywords

  • Cigarette - a thin stick of tobacco wrapped in paper that people smoke; it's bad for health and can cause many serious diseases

  • Tobacco - a plant used in cigarettes that contains nicotine and produces harmful smoke when burned

  • Vape - an electronic device filled with chemicals that creates an aerosol which is breathed in

  • Nicotine - an addictive drug that cigarettes and some vapes contain

  • Addictive - if something is addictive, it makes you want to keep using it or doing it, even if it is not good for you

Common misconception

Many pupils believe that the majority of their peers are smoking or vaping.

In fact, the majority of young people in the UK don't smoke or vape. In 2023, less than 1% of 11-15 year olds reported regular smoking and less than 9% regularly vape.


To help you plan your year 7 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Smoking and vaping, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Speak to your RSHE lead or DSL before teaching this lesson. There might be services in your local area that can support.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the addictive substance in cigarettes called?

Correct answer: nicotine
tar
carbon monoxide
tobacco
smoke

Q2.
is worries caused by friends, who want us to do something.

Correct Answer: peer pressure, pressure

Q3.
Inhaling smoke is harmful to the ...

Correct Answer: lungs, lung

Q4.
Which of the following statements are true about cigarettes?

Correct answer: Cigarettes contain cancer causing substances.
Cigarettes are made from plastic.
Cigarettes are safe for young people.
Correct answer: Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals.

Q5.
Which of the following statements about smoking are inaccurate?

Smoking can cause heart disease.
Smoking can reduce life expectancy.
Smoking can cause poor dental health.
Correct answer: Smoking can increase life expectancy.

Q6.
People can become __________ to cigarettes and vapes because of a chemical substance they contain.

Correct answer: addicted
allergic
immune
resistant

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:cigarette,a thin stick of tobacco wrapped in paper that people smoke

a thin stick of tobacco wrapped in paper that people smoke

Correct Answer:tobacco,a plant used in cigarettes that contains nicotine

a plant used in cigarettes that contains nicotine

Correct Answer:addictive,something that makes you want to keep using it even though it's bad

something that makes you want to keep using it even though it's bad

Correct Answer:vape,an electronic device filled with chemicals that creates a vapour

an electronic device filled with chemicals that creates a vapour

Q2.
Which of the following statements about vaping is incorrect?

Vaping is an alternative to smoking.
Correct answer: Vaping is not harmful to the lungs.
Most of the UK population does not vape.
Vaping can cause addiction to nicotine.

Q3.
The number of disposable vapes is damaging to the ...

Correct Answer: environment, planet, earth, nature

Q4.
Which statements about the law on smoking and vaping are correct?

Correct answer: It is illegal to buy a vape on behalf of anyone under 18.
Correct answer: All cigarette packets must have graphic health warnings on them.
Correct answer: It is illegal to sell a vape to anyone under 18.

Q5.
In 2023, less than of the UK population were regular smokers.

Correct answer: 12%
15%
18%
20%