Smoking and Nicotine Addiction wellbeing lesson plan
A secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 7 to 10 that helps Australian teachers introduce smoking and nicotine addiction through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore how nicotine dependence develops and build practical strategies for making safer choices around smoking and vaping. Students learn to recognise the signs of nicotine dependence, understand the influence of peer pressure and everyday social situations, and practise strategies for resisting pressure and seeking support to reduce or quit nicotine use.
Substances & Risky Behaviours
Snapshot
Smoking and Nicotine Addiction
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce nicotine dependence and support students in building safer, more confident decision-making skills. Feedback: 4.1/5 average rating from 236 teacher and student responses
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Understanding nicotine dependence and building strategies to reduce or resist nicotine use
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise the signs and patterns of nicotine dependence
recognise common triggers for smoking or vaping, such as peer pressure or stress
recognise situations where support from a trusted adult or service may be needed
Understand
understand how nicotine dependence develops and why it can be hard to change
understand the role peer pressure and social influence can play in smoking and vaping decisions
Practise
practise strategies for resisting pressure to smoke or vape
practise identifying safer choices and support options for reducing nicotine use
practise language for talking about smoking and vaping without judgement
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for secondary students in Years 7 to 10 who are building knowledge and decision-making skills around smoking, vaping and nicotine dependence. It suits students with varying levels of prior exposure to the topic, from general awareness to more direct experience among friends or peers.
It is suitable for:
secondary wellbeing or Health lessons
PDHPE units covering substance use and personal safety
pastoral care or advisory sessions
respectful, non-judgemental discussions about vaping and smoking
proactive substance use education programs
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing substance use education Use when students need foundational knowledge about nicotine dependence, smoking and vaping.
Building classroom culture Use to establish a calm, respectful way of talking about smoking and vaping without judgement.
Reinforcing decision-making skills Use when students are developing strategies for managing peer pressure and social situations involving smoking or vaping.
Supporting help-seeking Use when students need to understand where to find support if they or a friend are trying to reduce nicotine use.
Preparing for transition Use when students are moving into new social settings, such as new year groups or part-time work, where exposure to smoking or vaping may increase.
Creating structured discussion Use when you want a factual, teacher-led alternative to informal or peer-led conversations about smoking and vaping.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Nicotine dependence can be difficult to understand and even harder to talk about without judgement. Many students will have some exposure to smoking or vaping, whether through friends, family or everyday social situations, so accurate information matters. Teaching students how nicotine dependence develops and what strategies can help reduce or resist it gives them practical tools rather than fear based messaging. This supports students to make informed decisions and know where to turn for support if they need it. Building this knowledge early helps normalise open, factual conversations about smoking and vaping, rather than leaving students to rely on peer information or guesswork.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Health literacy Students build accurate knowledge about nicotine dependence and its effects.
Decision-making Students practise weighing up choices around smoking and vaping.
Resilience to peer pressure Students practise strategies for resisting pressure to smoke or vape.
Self-awareness Students reflect on personal and social triggers linked to nicotine use.
Help-seeking Students learn where to find support to reduce or quit nicotine use.
Respectful communication Students practise discussing smoking and vaping without judgement.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates, family members or share other people's stories
Frame discussion around general examples and scenarios rather than personal disclosures
Make clear the lesson is about building knowledge and decision-making skills, not judging individual choices
Identify trusted adults or school support pathways students can be directed to
During delivery
Use factual, non-judgemental language when discussing smoking and vaping
Avoid scare tactics or moralising about students who may already smoke or vape
Give students time to discuss and practise decision-making strategies
Allow students to respond through discussion, written reflection or small group work depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Reinforce that asking for support to reduce or quit nicotine use is a positive, responsible step
Avoid asking students to disclose their own or family members' smoking or vaping habits
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
Adaptation options
Use small group discussion for classes with mixed prior knowledge
Provide additional scaffolding for students who need more support identifying triggers or support pathways
Adjust pacing depending on how much students already know about nicotine dependence
