Know Your Vape
What is the aerosol produced by a vape sometimes incorrectly called?
Water vapor.
Emphasize that vaping produces an aerosol, not harmless water vapor.
A student starts vaping because several of their friends vape. What type of influence is this an example of?
Peer influence.
A student experiences throat irritation after vaping. Is this consistent with the immediate effects discussed today?
Yes.
Ex: Lung and throat irritation is specifically listed as an immediate effect.
Both vaping and smoking can deliver what addictive substance?
Nicotine.
A friend offers you a vape and you don't want to try it. Give one realistic response that doesn't require insulting or embarrassing your friend.
Any reasonable refusal strategy.
For example: clearly saying NO, changing the subject, suggesting something else to do, or leaving the situation.
A student says, “If something doesn't contain tobacco, it can't contain nicotine.” Is this statement correct? Explain.
Incorrect.
Vaping products can contain nicotine even though vaping does not involve burning tobacco. Nicotine is identified in your presentation as the addictive substance in e-liquid.
Why might flavours make vaping more appealing to young people, even though the flavour itself doesn't make the product harmless?
Flavours can contribute to the appeal of vaping.
Identify flavours as one factor that can motivate teens to vape. It also specifically challenges the idea that flavours are harmless.
Accept answers such as “makes it more appealing,” “makes it seem more enjoyable,” or “can make the product more attractive”
Name TWO different body systems or functions that vaping can affect based on today's presentation.
Any two supported by the presentation:
Lungs/respiratory function
Heart/cardiovascular function
Brain
Mood/behaviour
Your presentation discusses lung/throat irritation and breathing, increased heart rate/blood pressure, and brain/behaviour effects.
What major process happens in traditional cigarette smoking that does NOT happen in vaping?
Burning/combustion of tobacco.
You're talking with a friend who vapes and they say, “I want to quit, but I don't think I can do it on my own.” Based on today's presentation, name ONE source of support you could suggest.
A counsellor, quitting website/app, peer support group, or health professional.
A friend says, “Nicotine only affects your lungs.” What major organ discussed today shows why that's incorrect?
The brain.
Discuss nicotine in relation to addiction, brain development, and anxiety/mood.
A student says, “Vaping must be safer because it doesn't look like smoking a cigarette.” Which motivation from today's presentation does this statement demonstrate, and why might that belief influence someone's decision to vape?
Perception that vaping is safer. If someone believes vaping is safer than smoking, they may be more willing to try it or continue using it.
Why is it misleading to say vaping only causes problems later in life?
Because there are immediate health effects, including lung/throat irritation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, possible allergic reactions, and impaired breathing/lung function.
A student says, “Since vaping doesn't involve burning tobacco, it must be harmless.” What is one reason from today's presentation why that conclusion is incorrect?
Vaping can still expose users to addictive nicotine and other chemicals, and it is not risk-free. Accept answers referring to harmful chemicals, immediate health effects, addiction, or other risks discussed in the presentation.
Your friend says they started vaping because they believe it helps them deal with stress. Instead of simply saying “stop,” name ONE supportive thing you could do.
Examples include:
Have an open, non-judgmental conversation
Listen to them
Encourage them to seek support
Help connect them with a trusted adult or health professional.
A student says, “There isn't really a way to know how much nicotine you're getting from a vape.” Based on today's presentation, why can nicotine delivery vary from one vaping product or situation to another?
Nicotine delivery varies depending on the product and how it is used. The presentation also notes that modern pods can deliver a very high dose.
A student says, “Vaping is popular because teenagers don't understand the risks.” Give TWO other explanations for why vaping might appeal to some teenagers.
Any two of:
Curiosity
Peer influence
Perception that vaping is safer
Flavours
Stress relief
Can accept more than one possible answer here.
Some long-term effects of vaping are still emerging. Why is this important when evaluating claims that vaping is either completely safe OR that we already know every possible long-term consequence?
Because some long-term risks are known while others are still emerging. We therefore shouldn't interpret the absence of complete long-term information as proof that vaping is safe.
A student says, “Vaping and smoking are basically the same thing.” Explain why this is an oversimplification using at least ONE similarity and ONE difference.
They share some risks, including delivering addictive nicotine, but they are not identical processes. Smoking burns tobacco and produces tar/carcinogens, whereas vaping doesn't involve combustion.
You're creating a school campaign to prevent vaping among teens. Based on today's presentation, name TWO approaches that would be more useful than simply telling students, “Vaping is bad.”
Any two reasonable approaches supported by the presentation:
Fact-based/risk education
Open, non-judgmental conversations
Clear school policies
Quitting help/counselling
Peer support
Connecting students with health professionals