Youth work resources

Youth work organisations and youth workers have a vital role to play in supporting and nurturing young people to make healthy life decisions as they make the transition into adulthood, employment, training and further education.

Supporting young people to navigate decisions about tobacco also needs to take account of the potential interactions between smoking and other associated issues such as mental wellbeing, physical health, finances and use of substances such as cannabis and alcohol.

Smoking and Young People e-learning course

Our e-learning courses have been designed for anyone working in a youth work role. We have two youth focused courses, one on smoking and another on vaping. These will provide up-to-date information on smoking/vaping and young people in Scotland.

It also explores youth work’s role in engaging young people to stay nicotine-free, and supporting young people to quit smoking, highlighting resources and strategies to enable youth workers to confidently discuss smoking or vaping with the young people they work with.

The Smoking/Vaping and Young People e-learning course can be accessed free from our ASH Scotland elearning website.

Activities and resources pack for youth workers

The above course is complemented by our Tobacco-free Generation resources pack for youth work. It includes a bank of short, interactive activities to help equip young people make confident and responsible decisions on smoking, health and wellbeing.

Activities can be delivered in youth work or classroom settings and include:

Smoking and physical health; menal health; and money
Peer pressure and tobacco industry tactics
Vaping
and more

To download the resources and activities pack, create a free account at www.ashscotlandmoodle.org.uk and scroll down to the resources.

Other useful resources

Be Free, achieve more

Our #befree campaign explores three key ways young people can achieve more when you are smoke-free and are happier, fitter and financially better off.

Our free resources include a range of top tips and posters that will enable conversations with young people about smoking in the context of their overall health and wellbeing.

Further support for youth organisations

Making practical changes to promote a smoke-free culture within your youth organisation will directly benefit the young people, youth workers and your organisation. These changes contribute to the Scottish Government’s vision for a tobacco-free generation by 2034.

Contact engagement@ashscotland.org.uk to find out more about how we can support youth organisations to create a smoke-free culture.