Minds On
Poison
Explore the first picture of the cigarettes and the people in protective suits. What do you think is the message the photographer is trying to demonstrate?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Examine the rest of the pictures in the carousel.
Cigarettes are made from a variety of harmful substances.
Arsenic is in cigarettes and used to kill rats.
Formaldehyde is a strong smelling, colourless gas used to make building materials and household products.
Tar can be found in cigarettes and is used to pave roads.
There are fewer chemicals in a vape or e-cigarette but there are still many dangerous chemicals that are addictive and cause sickness and cancer.
Action
What is in a cigarette?
There are about 600 ingredients in one cigarette. When you light a cigarette and smoke it, chemicals are released. Of those chemicals, over 60 of them have been known to cause cancer.
Examples of chemicals include:
- ammonia
- arsenic
- nicotine
- acetone
Press ‘Chemicals’ to reveal what these chemicals are used for.
- Ammonia is a cleaning chemical.
- Arsenic is used in rat poisoning.
- Nicotine is an addictive substance in cigarettes.
- Acetone can be found in nail polish remover.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
Did you know that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals? Did you know that many of them are poisonous?
Carcinogenic chemicals are those that can cause cancer.
Explore the following chart that shares some of these chemicals and where else these chemicals can be found.
| Chemicals in cigarettes | Where else is this chemical found |
|---|---|
| Acetone | Nail polish remover |
| Ammonia | Ammonia Household cleaner |
| Arsenic | Arsenic Rat poison |
| Butane | Lighter fluid |
| Cadmium | Batteries |
| Carbon monoxide | Car exhaust fumes |
| Formaldehyde | Embalming fluid |
| Methanol | Rocket fuel |
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Choose three of these chemicals.
What is one way you could share this information about these carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarettes with others?
- Why did you choose these three chemicals?
Record your ideas in a method of your choice.
Short-term and long-term effects of smoking
There are many short and long-term effects of smoking. A short-term effect will happen immediately or within the next few months. A long-term effect happens over a long period of time and may not happen until many months or even years later. Identify whether the following effects are short-term or a long-term effect.
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
Did You Know?
Did you know?
If someone is smoking close to you in a closed area, it is called second-hand smoke.
Second-hand smoke effects can be:
- ear infections
- asthma
- bronchitis
- breathlessness and coughing
There is a law in Canada that you are not allowed to smoke in the house or in a car if there is a child present. Say no to someone smoking around you, as it affects your health.
Record both the short-term, long-term, and second-hand smoke effects, indicating what part of the body it affects.
Complete the Effects of Smoking to Our Bodies in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You can also use another method of your choice to record your thoughts.
Press the Activity button to access the Effects of Smoking to Our Bodies.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)Consolidation
Create a warning message
You have received lots of information about the dangers of smoking. Use your knowledge to make good choices for your health.
Create a short warning message about the dangers of smoking. Use your knowledge of the harmful chemicals and effects of smoking to be persuasive.
Record your message using a method of your choice.
Use the checklist to help guide you.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.