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Schools, youth groups, families and communities

Nicofiends:
It Starts With One

A creative ASH Wales campaign helping children and young people spot the pressures that can pull them into smoking, vaping or nicotine.

Download resources
Enter the competition

Use a ready to run session, choose a quick activity, or invite young people to create a Nicofiend character for the national competition.

What's Influencing Young People?

Nicotine use doesn’t usually begin with one big decision. It starts with curiosity, stress, boredom, wanting to fit in, a message online, bright packaging, sweet flavours or someone saying, “go on, just try it.” 

Schools

Ready to use lesson packs, slides and activity sheets for primary and secondary settings.

School resources

Youth groups

Quick games and creative challenges for informal sessions with young people.

Youth activities

Competition

Children and young people can design a Nicofiend character and send it in.

Competition details
National Competition

Create your own Nicofiend

Children and young people across Wales are invited to design their very own Nicofiend character.

A Nicofiend shows a pressure, trick or feeling that can pull young people into smoking, vaping or nicotine.

The 12 winning designs will become official Nicofiends campaign characters and feature in a national campaign in 2027.

Closes Friday 4 December 2026

Enter Now

12 winning designs will feature in a national campaign

Winners will receive a small prize bundle, certificate and voucher.

Why this campaign matters

Nicotine use does not usually begin with one big decision. It can start with curiosity, stress, boredom, wanting to fit in, packaging, social media or someone saying, “go on, just try it.”

Nicofiends gives schools, youth groups and families a creative way to help young people spot pressure, question influence and feel more confident making their own choices.

Nicofiend

[ nik-oh-feend ] | noun

a character that shows the pressures, tricks or feelings that can pull young people into smoking, vaping or nicotine use.

Nicofiends helps young people explore:

  • How pressure can build around smoking, vaping and nicotine products
  • How marketing can sell a feeling rather than the full picture
  • How social media can make something feel more common than it is
  • How nicotine can become hard to stop
  • How to pause, question and respond
For schools

Ready to use in class

Schools can take part by running a Nicofiends session, downloading the resources and inviting pupils to create their own campaign characters.

Primary school pack

Key Stage 2 pupils explore pressure, feelings and choices through a creative Nicofiends activity.

Download primary pack

Secondary school pack

Year 7 to 9 pupils explore influence, marketing, nicotine products and social pressure.

Download secondary pack

Quick Activities

Quick activities for schools, youth groups or activities at home

Game 10 to 15 mins

Cup Choice

A quick guessing game about peer pressure, confidence and group influence.

View activity
Game 15 to 20 mins

Hype Lab

A creative activity exploring how marketing can make ordinary things seem exciting, popular or hard to ignore.

View activity
Game Printable cards

Power Up Tower

A team tower challenge about tempting offers, hidden catches and quick decisions.

View activity
Game Printable cards

VIP Room

A group guessing game about fitting in, hidden rules and what can feel accepted in a group.

View activity
Game 20 to 30 mins

Mystery Auction

A bidding game about hype, missing information and group decision making.

View activity
Creative Competition

Create Your Nicofiend

A creative activity where children and young people design a Nicofiend character inspired by pressure, influence or choice.

View activity

Need help?

Questions about Nicofiends, resources or competition entries? Email communications@ashwales.org.uk