Page 30 - HLIF Manual

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES (& TOBACCO TOO)

harmful chemicals that are bad for your body! It’s not cool to smoke!
Long-term Effects of Tobacco:
- Yellow teeth
- Reduced lung capacity and shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Lung Cancer
If you smoke, use electronic cigarettes, or tobacco products, ask your parent/ guardian, coach,
teacher or school nurse to help you find the resources you need to stop.
SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: WHY DRINK OR SMOKE WHEN I CAN...?

TIME MATERIALS
15-40 mins WHITE BOARD OR POSTER PAPER
LARGE PAPER
MARKERS OR COLORED PENCILS

ACTIVITY
Ask participants: Why do you think some people start drinking or smoking, even if they don’t want to really
want to?
• Attention from certain groups of people
• Do not want to be different
• Do not want to cause an issue with people, give in, and peer pressure
• Advertising makes it look cool
• Media and movies portray it as if everyone is drinking and smoking to have fun
Ask participants: What are some things to say if you feel pressured to drink or smoke?
• “No, thanks.”
• “I don’t feel like it- do you have anything else to drink?”
• “No, alcohol or cigarettes really aren’t my thing.”
• “Please respect my decision. I said no. Please don’t ask me again.”
• “My family has a history with alcohol and tobacco, and I don’t want to go down that path.”
People can find lots of things to do to have fun that don’t involve alcohol or tobacco. Write this sentence
starter on the board: “Why drink when I can_____________?”
• Generate a list of all the fun things people could do instead of drinking alcohol.
• List the fun activities you can share with friends who have common interests.
• Some ideas are:
- Be active- go for a run or workout
- Read your favorite book
- Make a delicious snack and watch a new movie with your friends
- Get creative with an art project
- Cook a new recipe
- Volunteer!
If time, have the group make posters of their “natural highs,” naming all the things they enjoy and can do
instead of drinking or smoking.
COACH’S NOTES

Make sure participants know that natural highs act on the same part of the brain that alcohol does
to produce a feeling of high or euphoria. Encourage participants to stay true to who they are,
and encourage them to look closer at the people trying to pressure them into drinking or smok-
ing. It is helpful to listen to our inner voice. If your inner voice says something is wrong or not for
you, listen to it. Your value system is trying to protect you from guilt or poor decision making.
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