A healthy choice that you can make is to say no to vaping. Vaping is bad for health and if someone starts, they can get addicted fast. Being addicted to vaping means the body needs it and cannot function without it.
Vaping Prevention for 5th-8th Grade Students
Say No To Vaping
What is Vaping?
Vaping is when someone uses a device that heats up a vape liquid into a vapor. They breathe in that vapor, which goes deep into their lungs. The vapor is breathed out in a mist. Vape liquid has chemicals in it and most of the time, an addictive drug called nicotine.
Health Impacts of Vaping
Vaping has not been around long, but we know it is not good for people. Vaping can lead to:
- Coughing
- Faster heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Trouble breathing
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Addiction
If someone keeps vaping, their health can get worse. They can have:
- Trouble with memory and thinking
- Changes in mood
- A hard time learning and focusing in school
- Feelings of anxiety or stress
- Feelings of depression
- Lung issues and diseases
- A higher chance to get addicted other drugs
- A weak immune system, which means they get sick more
We Do Not Know What Is in Vape Products
There are not many rules companies have to follow for what they put into vaping products. This makes it hard to know what is getting into people’s bodies when they vape. We do know that vaping liquid is not just water, and there are chemicals in it that should not be breathed in.
- Nicotine is in most vape liquids. It is an addictive drug and how much nicotine is in the liquid can differ.
- Some vapes have flavorings that bother the throat and lungs.
- Formaldehyde is a chemical in cleaners and embalming fluid, which is used in funeral homes to preserve bodies. It is in vape mist and it can cause cancer.
- Chemicals used to kill weeds are found in vape mist and they cause lung damage.
- Heavy metals from the heating coils in vape devices are breathed in.
Vaping Companies
The companies that make vape products want teens to vape. They try to make it seem fun by using cool packaging, flavors that sound good and bright colors. These companies also use social media and ads to reach teens. They do this to try and get young people addicted early so they can make money.
Why Youth Start Vaping
There are different reasons that young people start vaping, which include:
- Social pressure, or wanting to fit in
- Peer pressure, or when someone tries to talk you into vaping
- A way to deal with stress
- They want to try it
You Can Say No To Vaping
It might seem like a lot of people are vaping but most teens do not vape every day. It is okay to say no to vaping. A real friend will respect your choice not to vape.
Try practicing ways to say no to vaping, using your own words. Here are some ways to say no:
- "No thanks."
- "I don't want that in my body."
- "I have to get to class."
- "I could get kicked off the team! No."
Children's E-Learning Lessons
Brain Tees Game
5th through 8th grade students play mini golf and answer questions about vaping or decide what to do in a vaping scenario.
Identifying Types of Influences and Vaping Lesson
This lesson for 7th grade students covers different types of influences, the health impacts of vaping and it presents a scenario activity about decision-making and vaping.
Tobacco Lesson
This lesson for 4th and 5th grade students shows what tobacco is, different types of tobacco products, the short and long-term impacts of tobacco and how to resist peer pressure.