
Lesson
"E-Cigarettes: What You Need to Know"
Electronic cigarettes—which deliver nicotine (a highly addictive drug) without smoking—have emerged in the past decade as a popular alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They may offer benefits to some smokers already addicted to nicotine. However, e-cigarettes also deliver a set of risks and unknowns—especially for teens. In fact, recent research suggests a link between teen use of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes. We urge you to share these timely resources with your students.
MATERIALS:
Student Article/Informational Text:
Students will gain a scientific understanding of the known hazards and potential risks of e-cigarettes.
> HTML version
> PDF version
> Digital interactive version
> Leveled version (PDF) - grades 4-5 reading level
Student Work Sheet:
The work sheet takes the form of a media literacy evaluation, encouraging students to analyze how e-cigarette marketing strategies are designed and how they might influence teens, reinforcing and expanding on the article. Additional critical-thinking questions help students evaluate the information contained in ads.
Additional Tools (PDF):
Grade-tiered resources to support teaching the lesson and student article:
- Answer Key for Critical-Thinking Questions and Student Work Sheet
- Academic and Domain-Specific Vocabulary Lists
- Additional Writing Prompts
- Expanded Paired-Text Reading Suggestions
- Expanded Standards Charts for Grades 6-12
The PDFs above meet Section 508 accessibility guidelines.
STANDARDS:
SUBJECT | COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS | NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS | NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS | NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES |
---|---|---|---|---|
Science Literacy | RI.1 Cite textual evidence | PS1.B Chemical Reactions | Structure and Function in Living Things | Production, Distribution, and Consumption |
English Language Arts | RI.2 Central idea and details | PS3.D Energy and Chemical Processes in Everyday Life | Personal and Community Health | Science, Technology, and Society |
Health/Life Skills | W.2 Write informative texts | LS1.D Information Processing | ||
Media Literacy |
LESSON:
CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS:
Grades 6-8:
a. How are e-cigarettes similar to tobacco cigarettes, and how are they different?
b. What are some of the risks of e-cigarettes to teens?
Grades 9-10:
a. Compare and contrast e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes.
b. How might e-cigarettes negatively affect teens?
Grades 11-12:
a. Analyze the ways in which e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes differ, as well as the traits they share.
b. Articulate the risks e-cigarettes pose to teens.
WRITING PROMPTS:
Instruct students to use evidence from the article in their responses to the writing prompts.
- Grades 6-8: Why is it important for scientists to research e-cigarettes?
- Grades 9-10: Should e-cigarettes be illegal for teens?
- Grades 11-12: Evaluate the appropriateness of laws that mandate that e-cigarette users be at least 18, and discuss how scientists might aid lawmakers in setting policy.
PAIRED READING:
- Grades 6-12: “The Deadly Effects of Tobacco Addiction,” headsup.scholastic.com/articles/deadly-effects-of-tobacco-addiction
- Grades 6-12:“The Science of Nicotine Addiction,” headsup.scholastic.com/articles/the-science-of-nicotine-addiction
- Grades 6-12:“Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz,” headsup.scholastic.com/students/marijuana-breaking-down-the-buzz
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
- Video: “NIDA TV Spotlight on Electronic Cigarettes,” headsup.scholastic.com/students/video-electronic-cigarettes
- Website: “Drug Facts: Electronic Cigarettes,” www.drugabuse.gov/e-cigarette-facts
- Website: “Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes),” www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm172906.htm
- Infographic: www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-e-cigarettes
RESOURCES AND SUPPORT:
- Teaching resources and drug info: headsup.scholastic.com/teachers and teens.drugabuse.gov
- Teen help for quitting smoking: teen.smokefree.gov
- "I'm Ready to Quit": cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking