Smoking and Vaping for schools
It’s important that children and young people are protected from the serious health risks of smoking and vaping.
This health and wellbeing priority focuses on creating smoke-free and vape-free environments and developing health literacy and protective behaviours as part of a whole-school approach to smoking and vaping prevention and cessation.
This priority helps to bring together existing smoking and vaping actions. It complements the Quit education resources for schools.
Smoking and Vaping Action Table
This action table gives an example of how the Healthy Places Framework can be applied to Smoking and Vaping in schools.
Action area | Leadership and Commitment | Teaching & Learning | Physical Environment | Culture | Staff Wellbeing | Families & Community Engagement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Goal | There is strong leadership support and a shared commitment to a whole-school approach to smoking and vaping prevention and cessation. | Students develop health literacy skills and protective behaviours related to smoking and vaping. | The built and natural environment supports a smoke- and vape-free school. | The school fosters attitudes, behaviours and values that prevent smoking and vaping and support cessation. | Staff have access to smoking and vaping prevention and cessation resources and support. | The school engages, partners and collaborates with families, health services and community organisations to support smoking and vaping prevention and cessation. |
Example Actions | Incorporate student voice, agency and leadership in the school’s approach to smoking and vaping prevention and cessation. Communicate the school’s commitment to smoking and vaping prevention and cessation with the school community. | Provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences for students to explore the impact of smoking and vaping on individuals, families and communities. Support teachers to build their capacity and confidence in smoking and vaping prevention and cessation education. | Display smoke- and vape-free signage that can be easily seen and understood by the whole-school community. Ensure any school event held on or off school premises is smoke- and vape-free. | Encourage staff, families and visitors to not smoke or vape in sight of students. Take a supportive approach to assist students who smoke or vape to quit by accessing information and confidential advice. | Share evidence-based, culturally-appropriate and accessible information about smoking and vaping, including access to support services. | Engage with relevant health services and community organisations to support smoking and vaping prevention and cessation activities. Share evidence-based, culturally-appropriate and accessible information with families about smoking and vaping prevention, including access to support services. |
Join today to see the full list of suggested actions, examples in practice and links to supporting programs and resources as outlined in the Smoking and Vaping Whole-School Action Guide.
The Health and Wellbeing Priorities
The Healthy Places Framework helps schools support all health and wellbeing priorities through a set of action guides. Six health and wellbeing priorities areas each have their own guide, and a flexible action guide is also available for any health area while still following the Framework.
