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  • Year 7

The impact of smoking and vaping

I can describe the physical and social impacts of smoking, vaping and using nicotine products and explain how best to say no to peer pressure.

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Lesson 3 of 4
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  • Year 7

The impact of smoking and vaping

I can describe the physical and social impacts of smoking, vaping and using nicotine products and explain how best to say no to peer pressure.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Smoking, vaping and using nicotine products are linked to serious health concerns.
  2. Making healthy choices benefits physical and mental health; quitting smoking or vaping are examples of healthy choices.
  3. Smoking, vaping and using nicotine products can impact a person socially.
  4. Saying no assertively rather than aggressively can help challenge peer pressure safely and respectfully.

Keywords

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

  • Healthy choice - a decision that contributes to physical and mental wellbeing

  • Peer pressure - when you feel pushed by friends to act a certain way, make choices or do things just to fit in with the group

Common misconception

Smoking only affects the lungs.

Smoking affects multiple body systems, increasing the risk of heart disease, strokes and respiratory illnesses.


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

Consider role-playing appropriate scenarios to help pupils practise saying no assertively. Emphasise the difference between assertive (calm, clear) and aggressive (hostile) refusal. Remind pupils that real friends respect boundaries and that it's always ok to walk away from pressure.
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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Vapes do contain tar.

Correct Answer: not

Q2.
Is it true that illegal vapes are hard to spot?

No, they always look very different from legal vapes.
Correct answer: Yes, they can look very similar to legal vapes.
Yes, but only adults find them hard to spot.
No, illegal vapes are banned so they don't exist in the UK.

Q3.
is an addictive substance.

Correct Answer: Nicotine

Q4.
A vape is legal in the UK if it contains no more than __________ puffs.

200 puffs
500 puffs
Correct answer: 600 puffs
1000 puffs
4000 puffs

Q5.
Cigarettes contain over __________ harmful substances.

50
500
Correct answer: 5000
50000

Q6.
Which of the following statements about vapes is incorrect?

Vapes contain substances also found in skin care products.
Vapes contain substances also found in soap.
Correct answer: Vapes contain substances also found when burning fossil fuels.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the definition of a healthy choice?

Correct answer: a decision that contributes to physical and mental wellbeing
influence from members of one's peer group to act in a certain way
a substance in tobacco smoke that can cause cancer and damage the lungs

Q2.
Starting with the earliest, order the steps to explain how smoking can damage the heart.

1 - Nicotine increases blood pressure and damages artery walls.
2 - Chemicals in smoke cause fatty deposits to build up in the damaged arteries.
3 - These deposits make it harder for oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart & brain.
4 - Over time, arteries become clogged.
5 - Clogged arteries can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Q3.
Which of the following are examples of healthy choices?

Correct answer: never smoking or vaping
starting to vape due to peer pressure
only smoking at social events
Correct answer: quitting smoking, vaping or using nicotine products

Q4.
Which of the following is an example of an aggressive way to say 'no' to peer pressure?

"I'm just not into that kind of thing."
Correct answer: "You're an idiot if you smoke."
"No thank you, I don't want to try."
"Let's talk about something else instead!"

Q5.
Which of the following is not a social impact of smoking or vaping?

irritability with others due to nicotine withdrawal
unpleasant smell on breath
breathlessness that limits ability to exercise
Correct answer: lung damage
social isolation

Q6.
Smoking damages body parts, not just the lungs.

Correct Answer: multiple, many, lots of