Video 3: Factors That Influence Personal Choices About Vaping

This video may be used to initiate conversations about vaping with elementary students in Grades 7-8 as part of learning about Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours. Engaging students in facilitated conversations based on the scenario and on-screen questions contained in the video will help students deepen their health knowledge about the risks associated with vaping and social-emotional Learning skills needed to make safer personal choices about their personal health while respecting other people's choices.

While viewing this scenario students explore the factors and influences to consider when making choices about vaping, consider strategies for making safer personal choices that are right for them in situations involving vaping while respecting the rights and choices of others, and use their relationship, communication, and decision-making skills to effectively deal with situations involving vaping.

The Scenario

A group of students are meeting up at a park during a break in the school day. They have obtained some vapes and are planning on trying them. Two friends who are planning to meet the group at the park know about the vapes and are certain that they will be invited to vape. They are not sure what they want to do. As they walk to the park they are discussing their choices and how to respond to the situation.

Thought Provoking Questions

Before Viewing: What factors and influences do you have to consider when making safer personal choices in situations involving vaping? How can peers influence a person’s decisions about vaping?

During Viewing: What do you think each of the characters are feeling as they walk to the park and talk about the situation? What do you think will happen when they get back to the park? What might influence each of their decisions while they are at the park, to try vaping, to stay and not vape, or to make up an excuse and leave? How would you deal with this situation? What strategies would you use?

After Viewing: How do you know if something is a healthy choice for you? What strategies might you use in situations involving vaping to make a personal choice while respecting other people’s choices? How did the characters use their relationship, communication, and decision-making skills to effectively deal with this situation? What factors and influences do you have to consider when making safer personal choices in situations involving vaping?