Vape Brain sculpture - school tour

The Public Health team at Hertfordshire County Council has been working with Herts Regional College and local young people to co-produce a campaign to help young people understand the risks of nicotine vapes.

Central to the campaign is a powerful sculpture of a brain, created by 3D Design students from the college. The ‘vape brain’ represents the mental health impact that nicotine dependency can have on young people and incorporates quotes from young people who describe their experiences in their own words.

The sculpture will be touring Hertfordshire schools as an education aid and conversation-starter, and is supported by a lesson plan to facilitate form group discussions Hertfordshire County Council: Vape brain toolkit

There is also a web area for schools and young people to visit for more information and support Hertfordshire County Council: Vape brain

The main messages of this campaign

• Vapes are less harmful than cigarettes (therefore a good aid to help adult smokers quit smoking) but they are not harmless​
• Nicotine is not meant for young people as their brains haven’t completely developed – it can affect brain development. They are also more sensitive to it’s addictive effects.​
• Nicotine dependency in young people can increase anxiety and affect concentration – this can make it difficult for them to focus and learn at school. ​
• Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are also very difficult to manage.

About the sculpture

• The sculpture is just over 2metres square (2200mm X 2200mm X 2200mm) when assembled
• Very easy to assemble (instructions included in the toolkit)
• Delivered directly to schools and collected afterwards
• Available for Monday-Friday bookings
• We are currently taking bookings from the end of February onwards

We would strongly encourage your school to host the vape brain. Feedback from the schools that have already taken part has been extremely positive.

You can view positive BBC coverage and an article about the campaign here: Hertfordshire County Council: New campaign to highlight the risks of youth vaping

BBC News: 'Vape Brain' sculpture highlights dangers to teens

Contact Lauren Cleghorn for more details and to book in a visit to your school Smokefree.Hertfordshire@hertfordshire.gov.uk