“One Vape for Everyone – Viruses for Each of You”: TNMU Students Gave an Educational Lecture for Ternopil Schoolchildren

Raising awareness beyond the university’s walls has become a good tradition among students of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, aiming to help the younger generation take care of their health. First-year medical students Vira-Viktoriia Hmyria and Nadiia-Anastasiia Hmyria visited Ternopil Secondary School №17 to discuss an important and relevant topic: “One Vape for Everyone – Viruses for Each of You.”

What might seem like a harmless habit – vaping – is increasingly becoming part of school life. However, not everyone realizes the real health risks it poses. During the interactive session, the students explained how sharing a vape can transmit dangerous infections such as herpes, hepatitis, tuberculosis, meningococcal infection, staphylococcus, and other pathogens capable of causing serious illnesses.

The pupils actively joined the discussion, shared their thoughts, asked questions without hesitation, and even debated. This is the best indicator that the topic truly resonated with them, sparked interest, and encouraged them to think critically.

The class was accompanied by a vivid presentation, which made the material dynamic, modern, and relatable for a teenage audience. The atmosphere was exceptionally warm and open. The lecture felt more like a friendly conversation than a formal lesson—full of humor, openness, and sincerity. And it was this sincerity that made the lesson special.

TNMU has supported initiatives like these for many years, where students become health ambassadors in schools throughout the city and region. These meetings are not just about sharing information—they’re about real interaction, where youth educate youth, and that’s what makes it especially effective.

We express our gratitude to the school’s teaching staff for supporting the initiative and giving us such a warm welcome. Together, we are building a healthier society!