INTRODUCTION:
Health-risk behaviors frequently emerge or intensify during adolescence and may persist into adulthood, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Among these behaviors, the use of electronic smoking devices (ESDs) has gained increasing relevance. This issue is particularly concerning in the southern region of São Paulo, Brazil, an area marked by high levels of social vulnerability. In this region, 59.3% of the population relies on the public health system, 24.3% lives in informal settlements, and a significant proportion of adolescents identify as Black or mixed race. Understanding how educational interventions can influence awareness and decision-making within this context is essential.

METHODS:
A health education intervention was conducted between April and May 2025 in public schools in the southern region of São Paulo. Approximately 360 students aged 13 to 17 years participated. The activities were part of a university extension program linked to Family and Community Medicine, framing the school as an extension of the community and a territory of care. Methods included group discussions, distribution of educational materials, and open debates addressing risk factors and the social determinants of health. The intervention aimed to foster critical reflection and empower students to make informed decisions regarding the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco (DAT).

RESULTS:
The activities encouraged active student participation and stimulated reflection on individual and collective vulnerability. Students engaged in dialogue about the risks related to ESDs and other DAT, demonstrating increased awareness of environmental and social influences on health behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS:
The experience demonstrates that school-based health education, when aligned with primary health care, strengthens the role of educational institutions as environments of care, contributing to improved health awareness and community well-being.