Extinguishing and Preventing the Spread of the Nicotine Wildfire

Extinguishing and Preventing the Spread of the Nicotine Wildfire

By: Zoie Parker, Birdie Dinneen, and Dela Sadeghi

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Objectives:

Overall Goal:

The objectives of this course are to:

Our overall goal is to:

• Educate about the effects of long-term smoking and vaping nicotine
• Teach addicted teens coping mechanisms and some helpful hints to quit
• List the signs of nicotine addiction and how to spot them
• Teach how to effectively intervene if someone you know is showing signs of nicotine addiction or developing nicotine addiction

Lower the rate of addiction to smoking and vaping nicotine

Who are you?

I am a teen who wants to recover from addiction

We don't collect this information. It is solely to help us create the most effective course for you!

I am someone who wants to learn how to spot signs of addiction

Don't feel alone, many teens are struggling too

Smoking and Vaping are harmless, why shouldn't I smoke?

If you say this to yourself, you may want to reconsider your actions. The chemicals in cigarettes and vapes are very addictive and the best thing to do is seek help

I only smoke for fun, I can and will quit whenever I want to.

This is not true. Smoking and vaping can spread their effects throughout your body to your heart, kidneys, brain, and many other organs. Not only that, but it can affect the people around you too

Smoking and vaping only affect my lungs. I will be fine.

Letting yourself smoke once opens the gates to addiction, try your best to avoid smoking all together.

It's just one cigarette/puff it can't hurt.

This is not true, vaping is just as bad as smoking, if not worse. One e-cigarette has the same amount of tobacco as 20 cigarettes

I don't smoke, I vape. Vaping is not as bad as smoking.

If you want to quit, but you don't know where to start; you are in the right place

Here are some things you can do to kickstart getting clean

Break the cycle

In times where you would normally smoke, refrain from smoking

Change your environment

Being in environments that were previously a place where you smoked or vaped could be tempting. Clean your room or redesign!

Revisit social situations

Being with people who people who smoke or vape, makes it very difficult to not smoke yourself.

Replace your habit

Find something else to do! Try a new hobby like beading or knitting to keep your mind off smoking or vaping.

Smoking can greatly effect the rest of your life.

The next time you consider smoking, think about these things.

Do you want to be healthy?

What do I want to achieve in life?

Smoking and vaping damage the lungs, heart, and immune system; making it hard to do simple things like kee up with friends to play sports.

Do you want to go to college? Get a great job? Smoking and vaping can decrease your chances of even just going to college

Do you want to be independent?

Do I want to be confident?

Cigarettes and vapes are very expensive. This is wasting money that could be used elsewhere.

Smoking and vaping can cause bad breath, yellow teeth, acne flare-ups, and dull skin.

Any progress is progress, start today and celebrate the little things

Evaluation time!

If you get more than half of the questions wrong, consider reviewing the contents of this course

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Certificate

Achievement Certificate

Here you can include a message to congratulate and wish luck to your audience at the end of the quiz.

I learned the effects of smoking and how to quit!

Congratulations!

On behalf of:

Birdie Dinneen

Zoie Parker

Dela Sadeghi

2025

Welcome!

The goal of this course is to teach you signs of nicotine usage and how to spot them

You may be thinking, I know how to tell if someone I know is smoking. I will smell it. This is not true. Now more than ever nicotine products give off no smell and are much more difficult to spot

Signs of addiction that you might notice

Note: Just because you observe on of these things in your teen does not mean they are smoking, these are just some common signs that can be amplified when smoking

Unexaplined spending or Missing Money

Behavioral Changes

If your teen seems to be more secretive, distracted, or making an effort to spend more time alone, look for other signs and consider your options.

Vapes , cigarettes, and e-cigarettes are expensive. Sudden financial changes can be a sign

Noticing unusal items constantly around

Changes in appetite or hydration

Lowered appetite and increased thirst can also be becuase of nicotine. Coughing and a dry mouth can be signals as well

Many e-cigarettes take the form of normal items for increased secrecy. These can include usb's, pens or literal things like vape pens, or cartridges

Decline in athletic performance or stamina

Attention Changes

Decreased concentration or attention is a side effect of smoking and/or vaping. Irritability, mood swings, and anxiety can also be effects of nicotine

Vaping and smoking can make it hard to breathe. This can lead to heavy breathing or declining performance in athletics

What to do if you spot signs of nicotine smoking in a teen

Keep in mind, just because you see one thing that alerts you DOES NOT MEAN YOUR TEEN IS SMOKING

If you see significant signs and you are concerned, the first thing you should do is:

have a lighthearted conversation with them

keep it light, and let them know that you care. try your best to not come across as confrontational. if the issue persists,

take them to a specialist and help them through recovery

Don't let the bad times discourage you, always remember you are doing the right thing

Certificate

Achievement Certificate

Here you can include a message to congratulate and wish luck to your audience at the end of the quiz.

I learned the effects of smoking and how to quit!

Congratulations!

On behalf of:

Birdie Dinneen

Zoie Parker

Dela Sadeghi

2025