What is really in the smoke?

Students analyze tobacco and vape aerosol ingredients and advertising, then create an anti-smoking counter-ad.

Steps

1. Conversation: why people experiment with smoking or vaping, and why nicotine addiction is challenging to break.
2. Students examine an infographic detailing toxic substances in cigarette smoke, comparing them to household industrial chemicals (acetone, ammonia).
3. They dissect sample e-cigarette advertisements: bright colours, sweet flavors, youth-targeted marketing.
4. In teams, they produce a creative counter-advertisement: a poster or short video clip.
5. Presentation and rehearsal: practicing assertive ways to say no to peer pressure.

Tip: Practice assertive refusal scripts through short role-playing; this builds real confidence far better than fear appeals.

Materials needed

• coloured B1 poster board (1 sheet per group)