Introduction
Lesson 1
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
View Middle School Version

We know the tobacco industry has targeted youth, in order to get them hooked on using tobacco. From engaging students with stimulating Canva slides to a perceptive take-home discussion guide, this lesson uses the Positive Youth Development framework to teach middle and high school students about the health effects of using tobacco products like e-cigarettes and cigarettes.

Learning Objectives

By hearing and participating in this lesson, students will:


  • Be able to identify the ingredients in e-cigarettes.
  • Be able to identify, categorize, list, and compare and contrast the health effects caused by e-cigarette use.

Key Takeaways

  • E-cigarettes are NOT just harmless flavored water vapor.  They produce an aerosol full of harmful chemicals and other constituents. 

  • E-cigarette aerosol damages the lungs and heart, which can lead to disease.

  • The flavors and flavorants in e-cigarettes are also harmful. The risk of having a heart attack decreases right away when going vape-free.

  • Going smoke or vape-free allows the body to heal right away.

View Common Core Education Standards for Lesson 2
View High School Lesson 2 on Canva
Lesson 2 HS - Talking Points

Click above to view the talking points for this lesson. Use the talking points alongside the Canva slides!

Lesson 2 HS - Discussion Guides

We suggest providing students with the Discussion Guide that they can take home and discuss with a trusted adult such as a parent/caregiver, coach, mentor, and/or a peer.

Lesson 2 HS - Kahoot!

We suggest you end with a Kahoot, which can be found and easily linked to in the last slide of this OR using the link above.

We recommend using Canva to get the full-scale experience of each lesson. If you need to go offline, feel free to download lesson 1 below.

Lesson 2 PowerPoint Download - High School
Lesson 2 Kahoot! Offline PDF Version - High School

Optional Activities

Below are some additional activities that you can do with your students as time allows.

  • Here is a great activity to further discuss chemicals in cigarettes and other harms related to tobacco.

  • Here is an activity you can do to further explain the effects of smoking or using e-cigarettes on the lungs.  Note: rather than purchase straws, you can have the students make paper straws.

  • Keep an open environment for students to come and ask questions or circle back to the material.

  • Click here for the "Vapor or Aerosol" activity! Understand why the differences between vapor and aerosol are important. 

View Lesson 3