RESPONDING TO INCREASING REQUESTS FOR E-CIGARETTES AND VAPES AWARENESS SESSIONS

Over the last nine months, we have been responding to a number of requests for sessions focusing on e-cigarettes and vapes, from various youth work organisations as well as both primary and secondary schools across Edinburgh.

Our Project Officers are not surprise that requests for these sessions keep reaching their inboxes, as it is evident that e-cigarettes and vapes are on the rise in relation to current risk taking behaviours amongst children and young people whilst it’s also an increasing concern for practitioners – confirmed by a secondary school teacher:

“What do you offer in terms of sessions for classes about vaping? We are keen for an input in this area as we have seen a huge rise in this area recently.”

Like all our sessions, our e-cigarette and vaping sessions are delivered taking a harm reduction approach, by raising awareness of the topic whilst exploring the benefits of remaining smoke and e-cigarette/vape free. One secondary pupil feedback included:

“I think it was better than any vaping talk I’ve seen because it wasn’t about telling young people to stop it was more about educating them in the dangers of their choices”

This was also backed up with feedback from a primary school teacher:

“The sessions have equipped the children with a deeper understanding of the risks to them and their families/friends.  The children are more confident in their knowledge and can explain the dangers to others.”

We have had requests for sessions for children as young as 8/9 years old in Primary 4 through to 15/16 years old.

“we would love you to come in to do some work with our children, we have had lots of issues with children vaping, from P5s up so any support to help with that would be great.”

We are delighted to have received funding which will allow us to respond to requests for e-cigarette and vaping session until the end of march 2023. Sessions will include delivery to children and young people as well parents and practitioners.

Our next Peer Inspiration Project Scotland (PIPS) networking meeting on Thursday 09^th March 2023 at 10am online will focus on e-cigarette and vapes as a risk taking behaviour. For more information go to https://pips.scot/ or register for our FREE network meeting, please use the following link:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peer-inspiration-project-scotland-pips-network-meeting-tickets-529339547837

If you are interested to hearing more about our project or have a group you feel would benefit from an e-cigarettes and vaping session, please get in touch laura@fastforward.org.uk  0131 554 4300.