PRODUCT WATCH ROUNDUP We’ve added new information to ASH Wales Product Watch about nicotine products that may be less familiar. Pouchless nicotine pods have a UK-facing retail listing: these small oral portions have no outer pouch and are not designed to melt. We’ve also added international examples of ultra-thin and semi-gel nicotine pouches, and updated our page on gels, creams, sprays and nasal inhalers. UK or Welsh availability has not been established for those international examples. These updates explain what the products are, what is verified and what remains uncertain. They do not establish how widely any product is used in Wales.
Nicofiends activity
Choice Shield
A creative planning activity helping children decide what they could notice, say and do when they feel under pressure.
What it explores
Recognising pressure, saying no, moving away and asking a trusted person for help.
Time
15 to 20 mins
Age
Ages 8 to 10
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting, At home
Group size
Individuals within any group size
Activity at a glance
Best for
Helping children prepare simple responses to pressure before they face it.
You’ll need
Choice Shield printable sheets and colouring pencils.
Key message
You do not need the perfect answer. A simple plan can help you make your own choice.
How to run it
- Give each child a Choice Shield sheet.
- Ask them to complete the four parts of the shield:
- I notice: What might pressure look or sound like?
- I can say: What simple phrase could I use?
- I can do: How could I move away or change the moment?
- I can ask: Who could I ask for help?
- Let everyone decorate their shield.
- Ask them to add their own reason for saying no at the bottom.
- Invite each child to choose one phrase or idea from their shield that they would like to remember.
Discussion prompts
- What can pressure look or sound like?
- Which words could help you say no?
- What could you do if the pressure continued?
- Who could you ask for help?
- Why might having a plan make a difficult choice easier?
- Does everyone need to have the same reason for saying no?
Reflection
Ask each child to look at their shield and choose the part they think would help them most. They can share it with the group or keep it private.
Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine
Pressure can sometimes involve smoking, vaping or other nicotine products. A young person might hear comments such as “everyone is doing it”, “don’t be boring” or “it’s only once”. Having a phrase, an action and a trusted person in mind can make it easier to stick with their own choice.
Adapting the activity
Make it Easier
Complete one example shield together before children begin their own.
Make it Harder
Ask each child to create a second shield for a fictional friend who feels under pressure.
Safety Note
Keep every example fictional and do not ask children to reveal personal experiences. Remind them that they can speak privately to a trusted adult if they are worried about something.
Ready to Run The Acitvity
Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.
Help us improve Nicofiends
Share feedback
Used this activity?
Tell us how it went. It takes about a minute and helps us understand how Nicofiends is being used with young people across Wales.