Lesson 3: Health and Societal Impacts of Smoking and Vaping
Students will learn about the impacts of smoking and vaping on health, the environment, and society, and how to identify the ways vape and tobacco companies use advertisements, social media, and packaging to target youth.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 6 Health Curriculum:
- Recognize the effects of smoking and vaping on the body.
- Discuss the individual and societal impacts of smoking and vaping.
- Identify environments that are required by law to be smoke/vape free.
- Explore the effects of second-hand smoke on physical health and general well-being.
- Consider the effects of air pollution on the environment.
- Consider the influence of various factors (e.g., self-concept, knowledge and experience, peers, family, school and community, and media) on decision-making.
- Explore how tobacco and vaping products are marketed to youth and how advertising, packaging, and social media can influence their choices and perceptions.
- Describe how environmental factors related to smoking and vaping may influence health.
Lesson Plan
Activities
Learning Activity 1: The Impacts of Smoking and Vaping
Introductory Activity
The following video and True or False activity will help to inform students about the impacts of smoking and vaping on health, society, and the environment.
Exploration Activity: Health Risks Comparison: Smoking vs. Vaping
This activity will help students to understand the risks of smoking and vaping on the body and the environment. Studnets can refer to the Nicotine (Inhaled) Substance Snapshot to assist in their project.
Sharing and Reflection: Student Trivia
This activity will help the students review what they learned about the health impact of smoking and vaping in a fun and cumulative way.
Learning Activity 2: Vaping Costs & Marketing Tricks: A Math and Media Investigation
Introduction: Canadian Regulations on Marketing Vaping to Youth
Pre-Activity: Vape Marketing
Students will examine a list of popular vaping flavours and other marketing tactics. They will discuss why these might be appealing to younger audiences and analyze how marketing tactics might influence youth’s choices.
Exploration Activity: The Cost of Vaping
Students will examine a list of popular vaping flavours and other marketing tactics. They will discuss why these might be appealing to younger audiences and analyze how marketing tactics might influence youth’s choices.
Sharing and Reflection
Students will reflect on a time when they were influenced to buy or want something because of marketing and share their experiences with peers.
Learning Activity 3: Making Decisions about Smoking and Vaping
Infographics: Factors Influencing Decision-Making and FACE Decision-Making Model
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through this Learning Activity.
Pre-Activity: Factors Influencing Decision-Making Quiz
Students will participate in a quiz involving scenarios about the different factors that influence decision-making, particularly around substance use.
Exploration Activity: FACE Decision-Making Scenarios
Students will explore and assess how careful decision-making about smoking and vaping can affect one’s well-being and why careful decision-making is important.
Teacher Discussion Guide
Scenario 1: Alex at the Park
Scenario 2: Jordan’s Social Media Dilemma
Scenario 3: Remi’s Backyard Choice
Scenario 4: Casey Under Pressure
Scenario 5: Riley’s Family Worry
Sharing and Reflection: Design a Resource for Younger Students
Students will create a resource for students in one of the younger classes based on what they learned about the health and societal impacts of smoking and vaping.
Substance Snapshots
Substance Snapshots aim to provide educators with knowledge surrounding specific substances, classes of substances, and methods of consumption. These documents are intended to support educators in their delivery of drug education. They are not for direct use by elementary students.