Understanding the Risks of Vaping and Energy Drinks: A Health and Wellbeing Discussion for Teens

Core Skills Analysis

PSHE

• Understood the potential health risks associated with vaping, including addictive properties and impact on lung health.
• Gained awareness about the effects of energy drinks on the body, such as caffeine overdose, increased heart rate, and potential anxiety.
• Discussed the social and legal implications around vaping and consuming energy drinks, including age restrictions and peer pressure.
• Explored strategies for making informed, responsible choices about substances that affect health and wellbeing.

Tips

To deepen Alex's understanding of the complexities around vaping and energy drinks, encourage research projects on the biochemical effects of these substances on the human body. Role-playing scenarios could help Alex practice refusing offers and handling peer pressure in real-life situations. Additionally, organizing a debate or discussion group could foster critical thinking about marketing tactics used by companies targeting young people. Finally, integrating creative writing prompts where Alex imagines the long-term health consequences of these habits might make the topic more personal and reflective.

Book Recommendations

• Vape: The Story Behind the Teen Vaping Epidemic by Karen M. Purcell: This book provides facts and personal stories to help teenagers understand vaping's impact on health and decision-making.
• Energy Drinks: What You Should Know by Susan K. Mitchell: An informative look at how energy drinks affect the body, helping teens to make informed choices.
• Growing Up Healthy: Making Smart Choices by Dr. Emily Turner: A guide encouraging adolescents to think critically about substances, habits, and peer influences on health.

Learning Standards

• PSHE Education (2020) Health and Wellbeing: Pupils should learn about the facts and science relating to smoking, alcohol, and drug use (including nicotine and vaping products).
• Relationships Education: Understanding how to make safe choices and manage peer influence (RSHE framework).
• National Curriculum Science KS3: Understanding the effects of substances on the human body (biology section).

Try This Next

• Create a worksheet listing ingredients found in energy drinks and vaping products, asking Alex to research and explain their effects.
• Develop a quiz with multiple-choice questions addressing facts vs. myths about vaping and energy drinks.