Haagse Hogeschool students in conversation with young people about vaping and smoking

Youth in conversation

The students visited secondary schools and secondary vocational schools to find out why young people do or do not vape or smoke. At the end of the day, they pitched their ideas to a jury, who looked at whether the plans could be further developed within the municipality.

Councilman Bouke Velzen welcomed the students. "I think it's incredibly nice that there are students willing to take on the day challenge again this year. Unfortunately, vaping is still not banned. In Zoetermeer, too, we see that more and more young people are coming into contact with vaping at a young age. This is worrying, because vaping is not only extremely harmful to health due to all the synthetic substances a vape contains, but it is also addictive very quickly. This is precisely why it is so important for students today to look for new ways to discourage vaping."

Pitches in the council chamber

In the council chamber, the students presented their plans to a jury consisting of alderman Véronique Frinking (health and welfare), Carlo Thielecke (Indigo) and Alidia Bosma (Haagse Hogeschool). The jury judged the plans based on several criteria: is it an original/ludic idea, does the idea appeal, does it fit the municipality of Zoetermeer and is it convincingly presented. The final choice was very difficult for the jury.

Winner: The Next Court

The winning idea was The Next Court. Students noticed that young people usually vape or smoke just outside schoolyards, because it is forbidden in the schoolyard. Their proposal: make schoolyards more attractive and challenging by providing sports and meeting places, so that young people do want to stay there. This will not only discourage them from vaping, but also give them a healthy and positive place to gather.

Other groups also came up with notable plans. These included a campaign via Snapchat, a TikTok challenge to reach young people in a playful way and a buddy system, where young people who want to quit are paired with someone who has already quit vaping to motivate each other.

Councilwoman Véronique Frinking said, "I was very impressed with all the ideas from the groups. Many fun, interesting and creative ideas passed by. Thanks to these discussions and presentations, we got a better picture of what motivates young people. This helps us as a municipality to take targeted steps in preventing vaping and smoking among young people."

Other activities: Stoptober

Stoptober is a nationwide campaign in which smokers and vapers quit smoking and vaping together for 28 days in October. Because those who quit for 28 days are 5 times more likely to quit permanently. Quitting is not something you do alone. You do it together with help, with an app and with support from people around you. Download the app: Free app - Stoptober, call the quit line 0800-1995 or sign up for the next group training in /www.rookvrijookjij.nl.

National Parent Night No to Vaping

On Wednesday, October 1, a national online parent evening No to Vaping will take place, organized by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Trimbos Institute. Parents will get tools from experts and tips from other parents to start the conversation with their child about vaping. Participation is free and registration is via ntp.webinargeek.com/national-parent-evening-no-against-vaping.

Webinar Steering in the Storm

On October 9, 2025 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Chris and Prevent is hosting an interactive webinar on youth and substance use. How do you guide young people in a world full of alcohol, drugs and the danger of vaping? Sign up by going to Steer into the storm - webinar - Chris Prevent.