CONSCIOUSNESS ON SMOKING AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES: AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL OF CACHOEIRO DE ITAPEMIRIM/ES

Abstract

Smoking and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use represent a significant public health challenge, frequently marked by early initiation and a misperception of diminished harm. The appealing design and flavored aerosols of e-cigarettes promote experimentation and nicotine dependence, adversely affecting physical and cognitive development. In the school setting, adolescent vulnerability is exacerbated by misinformation and inadequate regulatory oversight. This study aimed to promote awareness and prevent the risks associated with smoking and e-cigarette use among elementary school students at a public school in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. The methodology was grounded in an extensionist-based educational intervention, a strategy designed to integrate academic knowledge with community needs. This paper reports on an intervention conducted with elementary school students in a public school in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim. Participants engaged actively and reflectively in the sessions. The initiative facilitated the development of communication, empathy, and social responsibility skills among medical students while effectively disseminating preventive knowledge, thereby reinforcing the role of health professionals as agents of collective well-being. Educational strategies employing accessible language, interactive dialogue, and visual aids proved effective in enhancing risk awareness and fostering critical reflection on tobacco-related information within both school and family contexts.