Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and Vaping (Secondary)

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Curriculum content:

1. The facts about which drugs are illegal, the risks of taking illegal drugs, including the
increased risk of potent synthetic drugs being added to illegal drugs, the risks of illicit
vapes containing drugs, illicit drugs and counterfeit medicines, and the potential health
harms, including the link to poor mental health.
2. The law relating to the supply and possession of illegal substances.
3. The physical and psychological risks associated with alcohol consumption. What
constitutes low risk alcohol consumption in adulthood, and the legal age of sale for
alcohol in England. Understanding how to increase personal safety while drinking
alcohol, including how to decrease the risks of having a drink spiked or of poisoning
from potentially fatal substances such as methanol.
4. The physical and psychological consequences of problem-use of alcohol, including
alcohol dependency.
5. The dangers of the misuse of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.
6. The facts about the multiple serious harms from smoking tobacco (particularly the link
to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease), the benefits of quitting and how to access
support to do so.
7. The facts about vaping, including the harms posed to young people, and the role that
vapes can play in helping adult smokers to quit.

  • Drug education PSHE Association lessons. Y7-8: Understanding drugs; tobacco and nicotine; alcohol and risk. Y9: Vaping; Exploring attitudes; The law and managing risk; Alcohol and cannabis; Managing influence. Y10-11: Assessing risk; Managing influence; Help seeking. KS5: Understanding risks and consequences; Medicines and substances; Managing influences and seeking support; Keeping safe; Travelling and making decisions
  • Drug education for pupils with SEND PSHE Association lessons exploring the facts, laws, risks and consequences associated with drug and alcohol use as well as the dangers of household products and prescribed medications (membership required).
  • LifeLab: Free vaping lessons What’s the problem with vaping? These resources highlight the negative consequences of vaping, and activate young people’s sense of social justice by spotlighting the tactics being used.
  • Vaping – School Zone | Mental wellbeing | Campaign Resource Centre Three form time sessions focused on social pressures around vaping, its impact factors and the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain.
  • Alcohol lesson plan pack – School Zone | Alcohol | Campaign Resource Centre KS3/KS4 resource focused on the link between physical and mental wellbeing, strategies for improving physical and mental wellbeing and exploring ways to help those who need support.