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ACTIVITY 2: Tobacco & Nicotine Use–The Health Consequences

For Teachers / Grades 5 & 6 / Activity 2

ACTIVITY 2: Tobacco & Nicotine Use–The Health Consequences

For Teachers / Grades 5 & 6 / Activity 2

Keeping Healthy

This section includes a survey to determine students' perceptions about tobacco and nicotine, their understanding of its effects and their experience with it. In addition, it includes activities to educate students about the health consequences of tobacco and nicotine use.

SKILLS

SKILLS: Assessing Risks and Consequences

Suggested Time Consideration

Suggested Time Consideration: 25 mins

RATIONALE
This activity outlines many of the health consequences of smoking cigarettes and using nicotine products like e-cigarettes (vapes) and smokeless tobacco. It is designed to teach students the facts because most young people who start smoking or vaping underestimate the health consequences.7 As a result, the CDC recommends that schools provide instruction to students about the short- and long-term negative physiologic and social consequences of tobacco use.7 However, the CDC also notes that “programs that only discuss tobacco’s harmful effects or attempt to instill fear do not prevent tobacco use.”7 Therefore, a comprehensive approach to tobacco and nicotine prevention is important to help keep students tobacco and nicotine free.
GETTING STARTED

Share the activity link below with your class. Then, review the information provided in the activity. Ask your health teacher or school nurse to join you for the activity. Have a dictionary or a health textbook on hand so students can look up unfamiliar terms and share them with the class.

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TALKING ABOUT IT

After students complete the activity, take a class poll to see which of the health consequences students knew, and which facts were unfamiliar to them. During the discussion in Activity One about reasons young people use tobacco or nicotine, students might have said that young people think smoking makes them look “cool.” Explain to students that there is nothing “cool” about the health consequences of tobacco or nicotine use. They are real and serious—making the decision to be tobacco and nicotine free a smart one.

WRAPPING UP

End the lesson with a class discussion about decisions students make to be healthy and positive. Ask them what it means and why they think it is important to have a healthy, active lifestyle and good eating habits. Ask them how using tobacco or nicotine products such as vapes or smokeless tobacco would negatively affect a healthy lifestyle.

For a complete list of health consequences related to tobacco use, visit www.cdc.gov/tobacco. For more information about the health impact of using e-cigarettes, visit: Know the Risks of E-cigarettes for Young People | Know the Risks: E-cigarettes &Young People | U.S. Surgeon General’s Report

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITY

After completing the digital activity, students will be asked to create digital posters presenting the facts about tobacco and nicotine. Words and images will be provided after the activity to help them create the digital posters. Alternately, ask students to create paper posters. Click the thumbnail below for the link. They can use the facts and statistics from this activity and research additional health consequences on the internet or in the school library. Ask each student to explain the words and images in his/her poster to classmates. Print the digital posters and hang them around the classroom. Invite other classes to stop by and view the posters.

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SOURCES

7 CDC. Healthy Youth! Health Topics. Tobacco Use: School Health Guidelines, Summary. Referenced 2023. www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/tobacco/guidelines/summary.htm

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