Adolescent Cannabis and Tobacco/Vaping:
The What, Why and How to Help
By: Nicole Cercone: ncercone@schools.nyc.gov
School/District: PS/MS 206; District 04
Welcome, students, to the Vaping Awareness Web Quest!
Introduction:
What does the Phrase “One is Greater Than None” Mean?
Watch the Video. One Is Greater Than None 2009
Think: How did that video inspire you to want to change your community and/or world?
In this activity, you will explore the topic of vaping and its impact on health and society. Your task is to understand how vaping works; understand the current law; understand the negative impacts on the body; understand how vaping is marketed towards teens; reflect and move forward. You will do this by completing a series of tasks using online resources to gather information, analyze data, and develop a comprehensive understanding of vaping and the impact it has on our school community here in Harlem, NY.
You have been hired by the Principal of MS/PS 206, to inform students, parents and teachers about the impact vaping plays on our health and the impact it has on our society/community here at PS/MS 206. As the Implementation Specialist, you will complete tasks for the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) by becoming researchers, presenters and problem solvers to help change the existing policies by implementing better solutions to help our school community. Consider yourselves NYC Department of Health as an Implementation Specialist for the Clean Indoor Air Act !
Tasks:
Vaping among students in schools has several notable effects, impacting health, behavior, and the school environment.
Task 1: Create a "Say No to Vaping" poster using catchy slogans and bold visuals to counteract the marketing tactics used by vaping companies. Your poster should emphasize the negative consequences of vaping and the importance of making healthy choices. This can be done either on paper or digitally. (A quick Google Image search can help inspire ideas - posters MUST be unique, try not to copy).
Task 2: Write a letter to the principal expressing your opinion about vaping regulations. Share your concerns, ideas, and suggestions for improving our school’s existing rules and proposing new ones. Consider using facts and personal experiences to support your arguments. The letter should be 2-3 paragraphs long and each paragraph should have 3-5 sentences each.
Task 3: Choose to design an anti-vaping comic strip/poster/PowerPoint presentation to creatively convey the message: “Say No to Vaping” by the following:
● Brainstorm the storyline: Develop a compelling narrative that highlights the risks and consequences of vaping. Consider creating relatable characters, engaging dialogue, and a clear message that discourages vaping.
● Plan the structure and layout: Divide your comic strip into panels, ensuring a logical flow of events. Sketch out the rough layout of each panel, considering the placement of characters, speech bubbles, and visual elements.
● Design the characters and visuals: Create visually appealing and expressive characters that represent different perspectives, such as a vapor, a concerned friend, and a health expert. Use visual elements to depict the negative effects of vaping, such as deteriorating health or social consequences.
● Add dialogue and captions: Write dialogue and captions that effectively convey the message against vaping. Use concise and impactful language to communicate the risks and encourage healthy choices.
● Illustrate and refine: Transfer your sketches onto clean comic strip paper or create a digital version using graphic design software. Pay attention to details, such as line quality, coloring, and lettering, to enhance the visual appeal and readability of the comic strip.
PROCESS/resources:
(Length of Project Approximately 5 days)
(Resource: Ms. Cercone's PPA Example)
Day 1: Define the Problem/Gather the Evidence:
Objective: What do you see? What does it make you feel/think? What evidence can you gather? Fill out the graphic organizer attached here: (PPA Worksheet) (Tool/Notes: Support)
VIDEOS:
https://youtu.be/9dZS_Rniak0?si=aHwvRz6EzZhc3tMx
https://youtu.be/2eWs_Op_Avk?si=oh3dKp0cqxFQN0t5
https://youtu.be/hBC7i-vHWsU?si=2sPlHxVpvoaguvup
WEBSITES:
Health Effects of Vaping | Smoking and Tobacco Use | CDC
Day 2: Identify the cause:
Objective: Why Youth VAPE?
Students to fill out worksheet on findings (Causes Worksheet)
Websites:
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/why-youth-vape.
Behind the Vapor: Vape Marketing Strategies & Their Impact On Youth
Day 3: Evaluate Existing Policy:
Objective: What are some current policies in NYC schools when it comes to students vaping? What are policies already put in place within our own school building here at PS/MS 206?
● Interview a staff member at the School (Interview)
● Visit the following websites and determine advantages and disadvantages of the existing policies and complete the attached worksheet (Policies Worksheet)
School Health NY: Know the Risks: Nicotine is Not Safe for Teens: E-Cigarettes | Vaping
Day 4: Develop Solutions:
Objective: What are some ways we can stop/prevent vaping in schools ?
Write a letter to Ms. Forbes. (Sample Letter Template; Sample Student Letter)
Day 5: Select the Best Solution (Feasibility vs. Effectiveness):
Objective: Which solution would be the most effective/feasible? (Survey)
Create your final project!
Encourage students to incorporate powerful visuals, engaging slogans, and evidence-based information about the risks of vaping. Display the completed campaign materials around the school or hold a campaign launch event to showcase their work. Example: (Student Comic Strip: Vaping); (Template StoryBoard); Students will work in groups of 2-3 to create physical campaign materials, such as posters, pamphlets, or stickers. You can use any resources/materials created in prior tasks as long as it is relative to your campaign.
Evaluation:
You will be assessed based on the following:
● PPA WebQuest Worksheet
● Letter to Principal
● Final Project: Comic Strip; Poster Board; PowerPoint Presentation
● Group Work and CRED Expectations (Cooperation; Responsibility; Empowerment; Determination)
Congratulations!
You have completed the Vaping Awareness Web Quest. Through your research and exploration of online resources, you have gained knowledge about vaping, its health effects, marketing tactics, regulations, and prevention strategies.
Sharing this information with others is crucial in raising awareness and promoting a healthier lifestyle! Most importantly, persuading others that more needs to be done in our communities to prevent teens from vaping at such a young age and we can do that by spreading awareness and spreading knowledge!
“REMEMBER TO SAY NO TO VAPING! LET’S GET THOSE SMOKING DETECTORS INSTALLED IN ALL NYC SCHOOL BATHROOMS AND HELP US ENFORCE SUSPENSION FOR NOT JUST SMOKING BUT VAPING AS WELL!”
Learning Standards Met: