1. School Health
  2. Substance Use
  3. Smoking and Vaping

Smoking and Vaping

Educating youth about substance use is important to help them develop the skills and knowledge to make healthier choices.

While the number of youth who use tobacco products has declined over the past four decades, more youth are now vaping. According to the 2024-25 COMPASS survey (University of Waterloo, 2025) in Windsor-Essex County, 3% of grade 9 to 12 students reported smoking tobacco cigarettes in the last 30 days,), whereas 11% of students in grade 9 to 12 report vaping in the last 30 days.  Among students who have vaped in the past 30 days, 56% of those students report using vapes to relax and/or relieve stress and anxiety; while 55% also said they vaped because they were curious and wanted to try something new.

What is vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol (fine mist) produced by a vaping device, such as an electronic cigarette or a vape. The device heats a liquid into an aerosol which is inhaled into the lungs.  While vaping does not require burning like cigarette smoking, all forms of tobacco or vape products can cause negative short- and long-term health effects (Health Canada, 2024).

Nicotine is the main addictive chemical in tobacco cigarettes and vapes, and it can also affect the brain development of youth. The effects of nicotine withdrawal make it hard to quit, such as strong cravings, headache, trouble focusing, irritability or restlessness, or difficulty sleeping.  When you stop smoking or vaping, these effects can keep you wanting to smoke or vape more. 

Why do youth vape?

Some reasons youth vape include:

  • Stress or mental health problems
  • Curiosity
  • Peer pressure
  • Boredom
  • Addiction to nicotine
  • Appealing flavors
  • Devices are seen as trendy, or a status symbol
  • Easy access from friends, family members
  • Social media exposure
  • It has become a normalized behaviour
  • To quit or cut down on smoking

What can schools, parents and youth do to learn about vaping?

A healthy school is created when schools, parents and community partners work together to build school environments that promote and support student well-being.  Below you will find additional information and community resources for educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Resources for Educators are organized using the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework.

Resources & Information for:

Background Resources

  • Vaping- What Elementary Educators Need to Know – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and School Mental Health Ontario (CAMH and SMHO)
    Grades 1-8 English. Available in French.
  • Vaping- What Secondary Educators Need to Know
    Grades 9-12 English. Available in French.
    A fact sheet with general information about vaping, associated risks, and additional resources to support educators in having informed conversations with students.
  • Brief Conversations Toolkit – Quash
    Grades 7-12
    This toolkit aims to help curb the youth vaping epidemic by increasing knowledge and application of Brief Contact Interventions (BCI) among those who work or engage with youth who smoke, vape or use other nicotine products.  Available in French.
  • VIBED- Vaping Information for Better-Educated Decisions- Health Canada
    Grades 7-12
    Vaping resources, activities and a self-facilitated presentation slide deck with script.  Available in French.
  • Understanding Substance Use Educators Guide (includes video modules):
    This guide and accompanying videos have been designed to help educators increase their knowledge and feel more confident to engage in evidence-based, non-judgmental conversations with youth from grades 6–12 about substance use.

Lessons and Activities

  • Vaping Toolkit – The WECHU
  • Kahoot Vaping Presentation Facilitator's Guide – The WECHU
    Grades 4-8
    A guide that includes instructions to access the interactive Kahoot presentation, as well as speaking notes for the slides. Available in French.
  • Special Education PowerPoint Presentations - WECHU
    Find PowerPoint presentations and speaking notes to support secondary school educators teaching special education programs on the following topics:
    1. Puberty and Hygiene
    2. Personal Boundaries and Consent
    3. Anatomy and Sexual Health
    4. Healthy Relationships
    5. All About Vaping (substance use with a focus on vaping)
  • Refusal Skills Classroom Activity – The WECHU
    Grades 4-8
    An activity that allows students to practice refusal skills when being faced with challenging situations related to substance use. Available in French.
  • Kahoot Vaping (with Cannabis information) Presentation Facilitator's Guide – The WECHU
    Grades 9-12
    A guide that includes instructions to access the interactive Kahoot presentation that includes information on vaping cannabis, as well as speaking notes for the slides. Available in French.
  • Not an Experiment – Simcoe Muskoka Public Health Unit
    Elementary resources - Grades 7-8
    Provides information on vaping, lesson plans, posters, announcements, a PowerPoint, and an interactive activity.  Available in French. 
  • Vaping: The EX Files – The Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco
    Grades 4-6
    A set of vaping resources for educators including PowerPoint games, worksheets, Kahoot and activity sheets.  Please cross reference the Ontario curriculum requirements as they may differ from province to province.  Available in French.
  • Lungs are for Life – Canadian Lung Association
    Grades 5-10
    An engaging, evidence-based resource for educators to help students learn about smoking and vaping so they can make healthy and informed decisions. Available in French.  
  • Consider the Consequences- Health Canada
    Grades 7-12
    A vaping education resource that contains vaping prevention materials that includes posters, fact sheets, vaping videos, and interactive activities for the school community. Available in French.
    Grades 9-12
    Health Canada also offers an online self-led module for those aged 13-18 with information about vaping to help them make informed decisions about their health.  Available in French.
  • Behind the Haze - Alberta Health Services
    Ages 13 +
    Interactive Website for youth.
    Get the Facts About Vaping. Provides vaping information i.e. How do vapes work? What’s in Vapes? Is Vaping Dangerous? Is Vaping Addictive? Are they targeting us? How Can I I quit vaping?
  • Healthy Schools Recognition Program
    Gives your school the tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community. Contact your school nurse, call the Comprehensive Health Promotion  Hotline at 519-258-2146, ext. 1555 or email chp@wechu.org to find out more about supporting your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.
  • Physical Health Education (PHE) Canada – STOMP
    Students Together Moving to Prevent Substance Use (STOMP) is a dynamic program where
    Students in grades 7-12 work with peers, school staff and community leaders to co-create a grassroots approach to reducing substance use in their school community.
  • Quash E-Module Facilitator Training – Lung Health Foundation
    An online, self-guided and free Quash E-Module Facilitator Training to deliver the Quash youth smoking and vaping cessation program to youth at the school. Suggested for a school health champion to complete. Available in French.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County – Windsor Essex County Health Unit
    A directory of local supports within Windsor-Essex County to assist in the cessation of smoking, and vaping nicotine.
  • Quash Brief Conversation Toolkit
    This toolkit helps you talk to a young person about quitting vaping in under 3 minutes. It's perfect for parents, educators, and anyone who cares!
  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Youth Wellness Hub – Canadian Mental Health Association
    For youth aged 12-29 offering walk-in mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services. Services available in Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington locations. Virtual mental health counselling and peer support available.
  • AMANI Mental Health & Substance Use Program- Windsor Essex Community Health Centre
    Offers culturally responsive and affirming mental health and substance use health support for Black, African, and Caribbean youth, ages 12–29, alongside their families and caregivers, throughout Windsor and Essex County. Call 519-962-2264 or email amani@wechc.org or visit the AMANI website.
  • Mental Health and Addictions Nurse- Home and Community Care Support Services
    Mental Health and Addictions Nurses provide early intervention, psychoeducational support and therapeutic strategies that address specific mental health and addiction needs for youth. A school, hospital, or community agency can refer, and clients can self refer online or by calling 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468.
  • Smoke- Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017 – Government of Ontario
    The SFOA, 2017. regulates the sale, supply, display and promotion of tobacco and vapour products, as well as the smoking of tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes to vape any substance, and the smoking of cannabis. If your school requires signage, complete the SFOA, 2017 signage order form.
  • School Complaints
    The SFOA, 2017 is enforced locally by the Tobacco and Vaping Enforcement Officers (TVEOs). If you have questions, contact the TVEO assigned to your school at 519-258-2145,  ext. 3100 or submit a complaint online.  Local municipalities have by-laws in place offering further protections.
  • School Board Policies
    School boards can set policies that influence the social & environmental norms students experience. Please refer to your specific school board and/or school’s policies and code of conduct on tobacco, vaping, and substance use for further information. Individual schools should speak to their school boards about whether they can develop individual school policies.
  • PPM 128 – Ministry of Education
    Policy/Program Memorandum 128 (PPM 128) strengthens the Provincial Code of Conduct’s restrictions on the use of personal mobile devices in schools and prohibits the possession and use of vaping/smoking products on/near school property.

Support in the Community

  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County – The WECHU
    A directory of local supports within Windsor-Essex County to assist in the cessation of smoking, and vaping nicotine.
  • WEConnectKids – HDGH Regional Children’s Centre
    A partnership between the five core service providers for child and youth mental health and addiction services in Windsor-Essex.  Servicing youth up to age 18.
  • WEC CONNECT is a searchable inventory of substance use,mental health, and behavioural services available to residents of the Windsor-Essex County (WEC). See the WEC Connect Listings at wecoss.ca
  • ConnexOntario – Government of Ontario
    Mental health, addiction, and problem gambling services.  Call 1-866-531-2600, email, chat or search for services in your community. ConnexOntario can also provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services.

Additional Resources and Support

  • Youth Wellness Hub  – Canadian Mental Health Association
    For youth aged 12-25 offering walk-in (no referral needed) mental health services, substance use and addiction services, access to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care, and community social services.  The Youth Wellness Hub also offers recreational activities and peer support. Services available in Windsor, Amherstburg and Leamington locations. Virtual mental health counselling and peer support available.
  • Windsor-Essex Youth Services Card
    Provides contact information related to services and referral support in Windsor-Essex County for a variety of youth services.
  • Where to Get Help with Tobacco and Vaping in Windsor-Essex County – The WECHU
    A directory of local supports within Windsor Essex County to assist in the cessation of smoking, and vaping nicotine.
  • AMANI Mental Health & Substance Use Program- Windsor Essex Community Health Centre
    Offers culturally responsive and affirming mental health and substance use health support for Black, African, and Caribbean youth, ages 12–29, alongside their families and caregivers, throughout Windsor and Essex County. Call 519-962-2264 or email amani@wechc.org or visit the AMANI website.
  • Quash App – Lung Health Foundation
    A judgment-free app to help youth quit vaping or smoking the way they want! Build a custom plan for quitting, join groups and get support from others. 
  • Crush the Crave – Health Canada
    An evidence-based smoking cessation app designed to meet the needs of young smokers.  Utilizes a customized quit plan, tracking, and access to services such as quit lines.
  • Behind the Haze - Alberta Health Services
    Ages 13 +
    Interactive Website for youth. Get the Facts About Vaping. Provides vaping information i.e. How do vapes work? What’s in Vapes? Is Vaping Dangerous? Is Vaping Addictive?  Are they targeting us? How Can I I quit vaping?
  • Stop Vaping Challenge – University of Toronto and Health Canada
    An app that provides a space for youth to reflect on their vaping behaviours through an “abstinence challenge”. 
  • Mental Health and Addictions Nurse- Home and Community Care Support Services
    Mental Health and Addictions Nurses provide early intervention, psychoeducational support and therapeutic strategies that address specific mental health and addiction needs for youth. A school, hospital, community agency, or self refer online or by calling 519-258-8211 or 1-888-447-4468.
  • One Stop Talk
    A free service that immediately connects youth aged 17 and under to a professional therapist in which they will develop a plan together to move forward and feel better.  Call 1-855-416-8255 or connect via online chat.