Named ‘Our Future, Our Fight’, the new educational toolkit uses performance arts to highlight the dangers of nicotine gums, pouches, and vapes.

· The launch event joined by healthcare leaders, police officials, teachers, and parents to encourage 500 participating children at a unique event in central Delhi.

Children received a meaningful and powerful gift on Children’s Day as Mothers Against Vaping (MAV) announced the launch of a new educational toolkit aimed at building awareness among children about the hazards of new-age gateway nicotine devices such as nicotine gums, pouches and vapes.

Kickstarting the initiative – Our Future, Our Fight, a unique event was conducted on Children’s Day at the Harcourt Butler Senior Secondary School, Mandir Marg, New Delhi. More than 500 school students from Classes 8 to 12 participated in the programme that used innovative and engaging learning methods, with a special focus on performance arts, to help children understand the risks of vaping and nicotine addiction in an engaging, relatable and memorable way.

The day featured a range of dynamic activities, including a Nukkad Natak performed by artists from the National School of Drama (NSD), a poster-making competition, a march past by school children, an interactive awareness session by a leading pulmonologist, and an engaging fact card activity – all highlighting the health hazards of these new-age nicotine products.

Speaking to the students, the chief guest at the event, Dr Atul Goel, Professor of Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College and formerly the Director General of Health Services, Government of India, said, “Health is the foundation of every child’s future. Vaping and other New-Age Nicotine Devices are modern form of poison. We must recognise that manufacturers are deliberately creating a market of future addicts by luring young people with deceptive marketing and the illusion that vaping is trendy or harmless. Children should not be misled, as there is nothing cool about addiction. I commend Mothers Against Vaping for organising this event, because awareness, early education, and open conversations are our strongest defences in protecting this generation from the trap of nicotine addiction.”

The Guest of Honour, Shri Jitendramani Tripathi, DCP, Supreme Court Security, motivated the students and said, “Today’s generation is full of energy, power, and drive. What we need is to understand and support them. With this inner strength, they will be beyond the reach of those who promote these harmful new-age nicotine devices. We are also blessed with rich values and culture, passed down by our parents and teachers. By drawing on these strengths, children can resist those who try to mislead them. Students who respect their parents and teachers will never fall prey to such harmful influences.”

During the event, to encourage creativity and awareness among students, a poster-making competition on the theme “Hazards of New-Age Nicotine Devices” was organised. The activity invited young minds to express the dangers of vaping, nicotine gums, and pouches through art. Entries were reviewed by a panel of judges, and students creating the most impactful posters were recognised with certificates of excellence.

Shri Sameer Kumar Gangarh, Head, Harcourt Butler Senior Secondary School, said “Protecting our children from the dangers of these new-age nicotine addictions should be a top priority as a society and as educational institutions. Awareness missions can truly begin in schools. I deeply appreciate the innovative approach of Mothers Against Vaping of using theatre, art, and interactive workshops to communicate such an important message. When education joins hands with creativity and enforcement, we create a powerful force for change and help our students to understand that true strength lies in saying no to such harmful temptations.”

A powerful Nukkad Natak (street play) was performed by artists from the National School of Drama (NSD) to creatively convey the dangers of new-age nicotine devices. Through engaging performances and relatable storytelling, the act sparked awareness among children and inspired them to make informed, healthy choices for a nicotine-free future.

Renowned Pulmonologist Dr Harish Bhatia conducted an interactive session to highlight the harmful effects of vaping and other new-age nicotine products on respiratory and overall health. The session focussed on the rising health risks among adolescents and provided science-backed insights to dispel myths surrounding these devices.

Dr Bhatia said, “Vaping and nicotine pouches may appear harmless, but their long-term effects on the lungs and brain can be devastating, especially for adolescents. We are seeing increasing cases of lung inflammation, breathing difficulties, and early signs of chronic bronchitis among young users. Nicotine also interferes with brain development, affecting memory, attention, and emotional regulation. The rising dependence on such devices among teenagers is deeply worrying. Through initiatives like this, we can help them make informed choices and safeguard their respiratory and overall health before addiction takes root.”

Another engaging activity held during the event was the Children’s Day Fact Cards: The Truth About New-Age Nicotine Devices. In this interactive session, students picked up fact cards revealing shocking truths about vapes, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches – uncovering how harmful and deceptive these products truly are.

The cards also, most importantly, revealed that the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address on 29 September 2019, had cautioned the nation, saying, “E-cigarettes have been banned so that this new form of intoxication does not destroy our young generation or waste the dreams of our families.”

The event concluded with all students and teachers coming together to take a collective pledge to stay away from vaping and all forms of new-age nicotine devices. The pledge symbolised their shared commitment to building a healthier, vape-free generation