‘Marketed like sweets’: Dorset schools launch anti-vaping lessons for children as young as 8
Primary schools are warning pupils off vapes as a rising number of children entering secondary pick-up the habit
Primary school children across Dorset are being taught about the dangers of vaping amid growing concerns that e-cigarettes are being marketed to young people as “trendy” lifestyle accessories.
A new set of free educational resources aimed at children aged between 8 and 11 has been launched following a pilot scheme in nine Dorset schools.
Developed by youth charity Talk About Trust, the materials are designed to help pupils understand nicotine addiction and the health risks associated with vaping before they move to secondary school.
The programme, created over 18 months alongside NHS anti-vaping work, includes lesson plans, classroom games, activities and guidance for teachers. Free staff training is also being offered to schools.
Sarah Boyle from the Trust said children are increasingly exposed to vaping culture through peers and social media at a young age.
“So many young people tell us they started vaping in year 7 because everyone was doing it and they wanted to look cool,” she said. “It’s also advertised on social media as trendy and fashionable and I’ve even heard girls say they have their nail colour coordinated to match their vape.”
In the learning material, children are warned about the addictive nature of nicotine and the possible long-term health consequences of vaping.
“They realise nicotine is a highly addictive substance and that it’s going to do long-term damage to their lungs, their oral hygiene and also to their brain,” Ms Boyle added.
The initiative comes as concern grows nationally over rising levels of youth vaping, particularly involving brightly coloured disposable vapes often criticised for resembling confectionery packaging.
Sarah Boyle said vaping products were originally intended as a short-term smoking cessation aid for adults, not for children.
She said: “It is so wrong that people pitch it to children to make it look like confectionery and sweets.”
According to Talk About Trust, the educational activities were tested and refined with feedback from pupils, teachers and school leaders during the Dorset pilot scheme.
The charity hopes the resources will help children make informed choices before peer pressure around vaping intensifies in secondary school.