Secondary: Learning, Teaching and Assessment Resources

Vaping Addiction Campaign – Resources for Schools

The Scottish Government are deeply concerned about the increase in young people using vapes. That is why in the Scottish Government’s Tobacco and Vaping Framework, published 22^nd November, we committed to taking action to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people. Vapes are not a lifestyle accessory for children or adult non-smokers. They are one of a range of possible cessation tools available to existing smokers to help stop tobacco use. We do not yet fully understand the long-term effects vaping has on our health, though evidence shows that they are not harm-free.

The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2023 identified vaping as a new and emerging pattern of disruptive behaviour in schools, with staff citing reduced attendance within classes as young people gathered to vape in toilets throughout the school day.

The launch of the Tobacco and Vaping Framework is supported by our first marketing information to highlight the risks of vaping, and to support schools to have conversations with pupils about this.

Related Content

Substance Misuse Homepage

Campaign Information

The ‘Vaping Addiction’ campaign targets children and young people aged 10-17 year olds and their parents and carers. The aim is to help increase awareness of the harms and risks of nicotine addiction, and to help educate them about this new and evolving product.

After speaking to teachers and young people, we learned there is a need for more information on vaping, so we have created a toolkit that can help staff and pupils with all the facts.

We are not asking schools to do any extra curriculum activity around vaping, but this toolkit should help you to have conversations and help pupils gain a better understanding of the risks.

Stakeholder Toolkit

The campaign toolkit can be found via the Scottish Government Marketing Resources Centre here, and it contains both information and facts about vaping, as well as materials you can share with pupils:

• Information pack
• A4 poster – a generic poster plus a poster that allows you to add local information.
• A4 Poster translations available in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), French, Polish, Gaelic, Urdu and Punjabi.
• Social animations, statics and accompanying copy
• Newsletter copy
• Expert film – Linda Bauld talks about the impacts of vaping on young people.
• Web banner headers
• Campaign images
• Messaging in BSL