Health-risk behaviors often emerge or intensify during adolescence, potentially persisting into adulthood and contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Among these behaviors, the use of electronic smoking devices (ESDs) has become increasingly prominent. The southern region of São Paulo, Brazil, is characterized by high levels of social vulnerability—with 59.3% of its population dependent on the public health system, 24.3% residing in informal urban areas, and a significant proportion of young people identifying as Black or mixed raceThe health education intervention was carried out between April and May 2025 in public schools located in the southern region of São Paulo, involving students aged 13 to 17 years (approximately 360 participants). The activities were developed within a university extension program associated with Family and Community Medicine, recognizing the school as an integral part of the community. The process included group discussions, educational materials, and open debates addressing risk factors and social determinants of health, fostering critical reflection and empowering students toward self-care and informed decision-making regarding the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco (DAT). Limitations included the short duration of the intervention and challenges in assessing long-term behavioral changes.This experience was innovative in integrating the school environment as a territory of care, strengthening the connection between health and education.The experience highlighted the importance of public policies for social protection, the monitoring and regulation of emerging tobacco products, and the implementation of intersectoral strategies aimed at improving adolescents’ living and health conditions.The intervention demonstrated that the school environment represents a privileged setting for health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, particularly when coordinated with primary health care. The experience supports existing evidence on the effectiveness of community-based health education among adolescents in socially vulnerable contexts.The findings indicate that health education initiatives in schools, when articulated with primary health care, highlight the potential of educational institutions as spaces for care and health promotion, integrating efforts across education, health, and community.