Youth Vaping Prevention Resources for Educators

Youth vaping is a challenging health issue facing schools in New Hampshire (NH). It can disrupt learning, damage property, and divert resources away from education. To help you tackle this challenge in your school and community, we’ve created a suite of resources designed to effectively and compassionately respond.

Here you’ll find learning opportunities with informative and impactful content on youth vaping, effective communication, and positive discipline designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to address youth vaping. Each module was developed with input from youth prevention advocates and educators, based on the latest in prevention science and adolescence development. The resources are intended for school-based youth prevention professionals, including Student Assistant Program Coordinators, school nurses, counselors, school resource officers, and other staff who regularly work with youth. Continuing education credits are provided.

Available Resources

Whether you are an administrator, educator, school nurse or counselor, check out these resources to see how you can make a difference.

eLearning Module: Youth Vaping Basics

The course provides key facts about the types of vaping products (e-cigarettes) currently available and the chemicals they contain, why youth are attracted to vaping, and the impacts of vaping on youth mental and physical health, including brain development.

collection of vapes in a variety of brands and flavors

Community Vaping Prevention Toolkit

A collection of evidence-based strategies and resources to address youth vaping in your community including factsheets on safe disposal of vape devices, lists of prevention curricula & intervention curricula, and downloadable bulletin board materials.

four teens sitting on step smiling at camera

eLearning Module: Motivational Conversations With Youth

Learn techniques and skills for engaging youth in nonjudgmental conversations that motivate them to quit or cut back on vaping and other risky behaviors. The techniques and approaches presented are based on the proven modality of Motivational Interviewing. This eLearning module is designed for SAPs, school nurses, school counselors and others who regularly counsel youth in schools.

illustration of a teenage boy expressively engaged in conversation and gesturing expressively

Video: Focusing on Youth – One Conversation at a Time

Students from NH share the significant role that trusted adults play in their lives.

Video: Connection – Strong Relationships Prevent Substance Misuse

Real NH youth share what works to prevent problems with alcohol, tobacco and other substances and how to build developmental assets. Let’s hear what they have to say and how you can make an impact. Group discussion guide provided.

eLearning Module: Effective Alternatives to Suspension: Promoting Student Wellbeing

School administrators, counselors and teachers can learn about the negative consequences of traditional punitive measures, the benefits of supportive disciplinary policies and practices, and how to build support for and implement supportive disciplinary practices. The module also provides examples from New Hampshire schools for reducing vaping and tobacco use and other risk behaviors through alternative and supportive discipline programs.

young teen passing art supplies to another seated at the neighboring desk

Video: Moving Beyond Suspension – A Better Approach to Discipline

Around New Hampshire, schools are seeking ways to hold youth accountable for their negative or risky behavior while giving them a chance to grow and learn from their mistakes. This video features ways that local schools prioritize time in school along with education on health, relationships and coping skills to help youth avoid disruptive behavior in the first place.

How These Resources Can Help You

Promoting safe and supportive schools where young people have strong connections with adults is key to prevention and early intervention. A progressive or supportive discipline policy is also essential. Opportunities that educate youth, expand life skills, and address mental health and wellness lead to greater equity, better health, and academic achievement, all without compromising school safety.¹ Further, when it comes to behavior change, research shows exclusionary discipline policies can be harmful² and could make future misbehavior more likely.³

By reviewing and engaging with these resources, you will:

Understand why youth are attracted to vaping.

Sharpen your ability to engage youth in supportive conversations about risky behaviors, leading to choices with fewer negative consequences.

Build capacity in your school community to adopt practices that reduce out-of-school suspensions and reduce vaping.

These resources align with protective factors known to help students and schools engage in positive healthy behaviors and avoid risky behaviors, such as:

To learn more about improving school climate and connectedness, check out the resources at the Partnership @drugfreeNH.

Citations

¹ Steiner RJ, Sheremenko G, Lesesne CA, Dittus P, Sieving RE, Ethier KA. Adolescent connectedness and adult health outcomes. Pediatrics. 2019;144(1). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-3766

² Nese, R. N., et al. (2021). Moving away from disproportionate exclusionary discipline: Developing and utilizing a continuum of preventative and instructional supports. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 65(4), 301-311. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2021.1937019 ; Zeng, S., et al. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and preschool suspension expulsion: A population study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 97, 104149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104149

³ Fabelo, T., Thompson, M. D., Plotkin, M., Carmichael, D., Marchbanks, M. P., & Booth, E. A. (2011). Breaking schools’ rules. CSG Justice Center. https://csgjusticecenter.org/publications/breaking-schools-rules/