Bradford Campaign Targets Youth Vaping in Schools

Local organisations collaborate on anti-vaping initiative

A new phase of an anti-vaping campaign aimed at young people has been launched in Bradford, focusing on raising awareness of the impact of vaping on mental health. The initiative is a joint effort between Bradford City FC Community Foundation, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and Oasis Academy Lister Park.

Campaign details and objectives

The campaign, titled ‘Catch Your Breath: Ditch the Vape’, follows an initial phase launched in December that featured films highlighting the negative effects of vaping in social settings. The latest phase includes a new film shot at Oasis Academy Lister Park, a secondary school in Manningham, Bradford. The film features pupils acting out scenarios demonstrating how vaping can affect mental health during a typical school day.

In the film, vaping is symbolised by a loud party horn, intended to illustrate the intrusive and disruptive nature of vaping on young people’s wellbeing. Roqia, a pupil at the school, stars as the character who vapes. The campaign aims to discourage vaping by making young people aware of its potential consequences on their mental health and overall quality of life during crucial developmental stages.

Community involvement and response

• Over 100 pupils from Oasis Academy Lister Park attended the campaign launch event held at the school.
• Students who appeared in the film participated in a panel discussion addressing vaping and its effects.
• Speakers at the launch included Nasar Ahmed, Senior Public Health Specialist at Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and Quentin Laulau-Togaga’e, co-founder of the Talk Your Walk Foundation.
• The Talk Your Walk Foundation, which provides workshops on self-esteem and mental health, supported the campaign and helped facilitate discussions.

Amy, a student featured in the film, commented on the campaign’s impact, noting that it effectively showed vaping as neither “cool” nor beneficial, highlighting its effects on mood and stress.

Distribution and future plans

The campaign materials, including the film and related social and print media assets, will be shared across networks of educational institutions in Bradford and beyond. This includes Oasis Community Learning, a Multi-Academy Trust comprising 56 schools nationwide, as well as other social action and outreach organisations.

These resources will also be integrated into educational programmes delivered by the Bradford City FC Community Foundation, such as Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Inspires, alongside sports coaching and after-school clubs.

The third phase of the ‘Catch Your Breath’ campaign is scheduled for release during the early stages of the 2026/27 football season.