
Lesson “E-Cigarettes: What You Need to Know”
First published 2015. To view the latest Heads Up content, click here.
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