In this activity, students will demonstrate what they’ve learned about the health consequences of tobacco and nicotine use and the refusal skills presented in previous activities to create illustrations about saying “no.” This will help you reinforce the message and assess students’ understanding of the material.

Ask students to share examples about when they might have found themselves in uncomfortable situations, and how they managed to get out of them. Then, share the digital activity link below with your students. Review the suggestions for saying “no” to tobacco and nicotine, and display the poster that provides refusal tips while doing this activity. You’ll find the poster link in the “Activity Resources” section. 

When students have completed the activity, have them present and explain their illustrations to the class.

For the “Draw It!” section, brainstorm topics with your students to get them thinking about other common situations they encounter to which they can apply the refusal skills they’ve learned.

Have students share their “Draw It!” illustrations and then post them on a bulletin board under the heading “When Saying ‘No” Is the Way to Go.”

Students need to be equipped with skills to refuse offers to smoke or vape or use other tobacco and nicotine products. They should also be aware of policies, rules, and laws that relate to tobacco and nicotine use and possession in your area.

Have your students work in groups to research and report back to the class on the following:

The school’s smoke-free or vape-free policy: Students should describe the policy, when it was implemented, and what the consequences are for breaking the policy. If your school does not have a policy, students can find out what can be done to implement one.

State and federal laws regarding tobacco or nicotine product possession and/or use by minors: Students should prepare oral presentations to convey their findings.