STOPtober – Equipping Young People to Make Healthier Choices
Smoking and vaping remain significant health issues in our local community. Many children and young people are exposed to these habits at home or through peer pressure. In October, One In A Million will be delivering a series of STOPtober sessions in our Kidz and Youth Clubs to raise awareness and encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
What We Did
- Delivered interactive sessions using visual aids such as lung and mouth diagrams to show the effects of smoking and vaping.
- Explored how to identify illegal vapes, a growing concern in local communities.
- Ran quizzes and group discussions to deepen understanding and challenge myths.
- Provided all activators with an information/activity pack to ensure consistency across centres.
Young People’s Experience
- Young people enjoyed the hands-on experience of handling lung and mouth diagrams, making the dangers of smoking tangible and memorable.
- The true or false quiz was popular. It was simple to deliver, sparking lively debate and active learning. The children and young people held up placards to test their knowledge. Their responses showed just how real the pressures are on them:
- “Because friends do it, so you feel pressure to fit in”.
- “It helps with stress, I feel more calm”.
- “They taste and smell nice”.
As we explored learning further, they became genuinely shocked and concerned at the real risks and damage vaping and smoking does to the body.
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- “My mum/dad smokes, so that’s what their lungs will look like! That’s not good!”.
- “I’m going to tell my mum to stop smoking and vaping because it causes cancer, and it’s not good for her!”.
Outcomes
- Increased Knowledge: Young people gained a clearer understanding of the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
- Changed Attitudes: Participants expressed shock, concern, and determination to make healthier choices.
- Peer-to-Parent Influence: Some young people were so inspired they went home and encouraged their parents to quit smoking or vaping.
- Confidence to Speak Up: Young people developed courage to challenge peer pressure and discuss health choices openly.
Impact
This initiative demonstrates the ripple effect of our work. By equipping young people with knowledge and confidence, we empower them not only to protect their own health but also to influence their families and communities. STOPtober at One In A Million shows how prevention-focused interventions can achieve immediate learning outcomes and spark long-term cultural change.
