Support for Schools & Professionals
Creating a Smokefree School Community
Schools play a vital role in helping young people make healthy choices and in preventing nicotine addiction.
With vaping becoming more common among teenagers, clear information, consistent messaging and early support can make a real difference.
Smokefree Island works closely with schools Islandwide to promote awareness, prevention and support around smoking and vaping.
Why early intervention matters
Most young people do not smoke, vape or use other nicotine products such as pouches. But for those who do, getting the right support early makes a huge difference.
Young people who continue smoking into adulthood are much more likely to experience serious long-term health problems, including heart disease, breathing conditions and cancer.
The earlier someone starts, the harder it becomes to quit, and the more harm they are likely to face later in life.
This is why spotting concerns early, having open conversations, and directing young people to the right support is so important.
The impact of early support
Evidence from national guidance shows that:
Early intervention increases the chance of long-term success. Young people who receive timely support are far more likely to quit than those left to manage alone.
Stop smoking services improve outcomes, and the overall evidence shows that young people and adults using stop smoking services are around three times more likely to quit than those who try without support.
Interrupting smoking early prevents lifelong harm. Preventing regular smoking in adolescence is one of the most effective ways to reduce serious illness in adulthood.
How schools can help
Schools play a crucial role by:
- Noticing early signs of smoking or vaping
- Creating safe spaces for young people to talk
- Sharing clear, factual information
- Signposting students to specialist support like Smokefree Island
- Working with parents, carers and pastoral teams
Early conversations and referrals can protect young people’s health now and massively improve their long-term wellbeing.
Useful Resources
As well as support from Smokefree Island, you can also find useful resources here:
Hampshire County Council - Smokefree Me
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary - Safe4me
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities - School Zone
To report underage sale of cigarettes and vapes, you can report it to Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards by clicking here
You can also get support from the School Nurses team by email [email protected]
Spot the signs: Recognising vaping in school
Many school staff want to support pupils around vaping but aren’t always sure how to spot it — or how to raise it in a calm, constructive way.
The goal isn’t to “catch” pupils, but to notice patterns early and open up a supportive conversation.
Possible signs that a pupil might be vaping include:
- Unexplained sweet, fruity or menthol smells in classrooms or corridors
- More frequent bathroom visits or spending longer in private areas between lessons
- Small, USB-style or pen-shaped devices being carried or shared discreetly
- Changes in concentration, mood, or restlessness, especially between breaks
- Vape packaging or disposable pods found in bins or bags
Talking with a young person about smoking or vaping
If a young person is sitting in front of you because someone saw them smoking, or a vape was confiscated, they may expect a telling-off. Starting differently helps build trust.
Key principles
- Listen more than you speak
- Stay curious, not critical
- Respect their choices
- Focus on what they want
- Keep the conversation short and pressure-free
- Think of this as an ongoing relationship, not a one-off intervention
Use thought provoking questions
These help the young person reflect without feeling pushed:
- “What else could you do with the money you spend?”
- “What do your non-smoking friends think?”
- “Do you think quitting is something you’d want in the future?”
- “What would make stopping easier for you?”
If they're interested in quitting
Respond positively and reinforce their decision: “I’m really glad you want to make this change. Let’s look at the ways we can support you.”
Then you can:
- Explain the school’s support process Refer to local stop smoking services (click here to refer to Smokefree Island)
- Explore nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which is licensed for young people aged 12 and over
If they're not ready to quit yet
Stay supportive... “I’m concerned about how smoking might affect your health, now and later. My offer of help will always be here.”
How we can support your school
We offer free resources and tailored support for Island schools, including:
Staff Training
We offer training on youth vaping, Very Brief Advice (VBA), and how to respond confidently to nicotine use in school settings.
Assemblies and Workshops
We can host assemblies and workshops for pupils on vaping awareness, peer pressure and health and wellbeing.
Parent and Carer Sessions
To help families understand the risks and where to find support.
Advisory Support
Get help with school policies on vaping and smoking.
Referral Pathways
Download our CYP referral pathway (link opens in new window).
The law on vaping
Schools play an important role in helping pupils understand the law and stay safe.
- It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or use a vape containing nicotine
- It is illegal for retailers to sell vapes to anyone under 18
- It is illegal for an adult to buy a vape for someone under 18, known as a “proxy purchase”
These laws are in place to protect children and young people from addiction and exposure to harmful substances.
Reporting concerns
If your school is aware of, or suspects, underage or illicit vape sales, concerns can be reported to the Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards team online.
In some cases, vaping may form part of wider safeguarding concerns, particularly where there are risks to pupil wellbeing or exposure to harmful or illicit products.
Why reporting matters
By reporting illegal sales or unsafe products, schools can help to:
- Protect pupils from addiction and harm
- Prevent retailers from breaking the law
- Reduce access to unregulated or potentially dangerous products
- Support safer schools and local communities
Speak to our dedicated Children & Young People team
We're here to help with any questions you might have.
Why school engagement matters
Young people spend most of their day at school — this plays a part in shaping a young person’s values.
Staff who feel informed and confident can spot early warning signs and offer help sooner.
Consistent messages across home and school settings reinforce positive change
Early, supportive conversations at school often make the difference between a short-term habit and long-term nicotine use
Referring a Pupil for support
If you’re concerned about a pupil’s vaping, or if a young person has asked for help to quit, Smokefree Island can provide free, confidential support for those aged 12 and over. Our approach is non-judgemental and youth focused. Referrals are about offering help, not punishment.
How to refer
Self-referral
Your students can self-refer by completing our online referral form or by texting the word QUIT to 80011
Click here to complete a referral.
Call us
to discuss the best approach before referring
We're available Monday-Friday from 8am - 5pm.
School, college and youth service referral
Referrals can be made for one student or multiple students using our online form. School, college and youth service referrals are accepted with pupil consent.
Once completed, please email to [email protected]
What happens next?
Once we receive a referral, our youth advisors contact the pupil in a way that feels safe and appropriate: by phone, text, or through school.
Support can take place one-to-one or in small groups, depending on the young person’s preference.