1. Lesson #11: Tobacco-What is in it and why not to use it
Learning Targets:
Today We Will: Learn about what’s really in tobacco products and explore how few people actually use the products
So We Can: Make good, informed choices
We Will Know We Have it When: our group can create a list of at least 10 reasons why they would not use tobacco

2. Bellwork: How Many 8th Graders Have…
How many 8th Graders have tried cigarettes at least once in their life?
22.1 %
How many 8th Graders have smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days?
7.1 %
How many 8th Graders smoke cigarettes daily?
3.0%
How many 12th Graders smoke cigarettes daily?
12.3%
Key Take-away…not many kids use tobacco-you might hear about it b/c so few actually do
Answer the Following 4 Questions with either
More than 25%
More than 10%, less than 25%
More than 5%, less than 10%
Less than 5%
Before answering…consider not just Berkshire 8th Graders, but 8th Graders in various living situations located across the United States…
Be prepared to support your answers!
Take your answers and move to the appropriate spot around the classroom

3. What is Tobacco? Tobacco is a plant that grows
best in warm, humid climates
The leaves are dried, aged for 2 or more years, mixed w/chemicals, then used to make various products
Contains a powerful drug that changes the brain’s chemistry
This change makes the user want more and more tobacco
Harmful to people’s health and is a major cause of early and preventable death

4. What is in Tobacco?
Tobacco and tobacco smoke contain approximately 4,000 chemicals
Over 200 of them are known to be dangerous to humans, especially nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide
Nicotine: an addictive drug found in tobacco leaves and in all tobacco products
it takes less than 7 seconds to reach the brain and creates a feeling of stimulation
About 30 minutes later, the chemicals leave the brain and cause a feeling of discomfort

5. What is in Tobacco Cont.
Tar: dark, thick, sticky liquid that forms when tobacco burns
It leaves a residue that destroys cilia (tiny hairlike structures that protects the lungs)
Destroys the air sacs in the lungs
Carbon Monoxide: colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced when tobacco burns
Reduces the amount of oxygen blood cells can carry and can lead to heart attacks and strokes

6. What is really in Cigarettes and Chewing Tobacco?

7. Why more people used to use tobacco…
Let’s take a quick look at the history of tobacco advertising and use…
What was the first question they used to ask you when you went into a sit-down restaurant?
Things used to be extremely different…other examples?
ABC NEWS Commercials

8. Who Buys Tobacco? Why is it legal?
Big Business:
Tobacco Companies spend over $6.8 billion/yr. on marketing and advertising ($18.5 million/day)!!!!
WHY DO YOU THINK?
Advertising (86 % of kids that smoke prefer one of the 3 most heavily advertised brands)
Tobacco use has dropped in adults over 40% since 1965
75% of adults don’t use tobacco at all
WHO ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF?

9. How Can Tobacco Affect Others?
Secondhand smoke: air that has been contaminated by tobacco smoke
Mainstream Smoke: smoke that a smoker inhales and then exhales
Sidestream Smoke: smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe
Sidestream smoke contains twice as much tar and nicotine as mainstream smoke
Can lead to:
Respiratory illnesses: pneumonia and bronchitis
Lung disease, heart disease, and cancer in nonsmokers

10. Let’s Look at the Social and Political Issues of Tobacco Use

11. The More We Know, The More We Know Why Not to Use Tobacco
Title: Top 10 List of Why Your Group Will Not Use Tobacco
In groups of 2-3
Make a list of at least 10 reasons your group will not/has not used tobacco
Each member needs to contribute…
Consider…
Social/Emotional Reasons
Financial Reasons
Physical Reasons
Worth 10 points-due at end of class