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WorksheetsThe Real Cost of a Puff: Nicotine, Vaping, and Your Health
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 23mins
Recall: According to the health alert, what is the core villain in both smoking and vaping that harms developing brains?
Tar
Nicotine
Carbon monoxide
Flavorings
Recall: Until about what age is the brain still growing, making early nicotine exposure especially harmful?
15
18
21
25
Recall: Fill in the blank with the exact term from the passage: Nicotine exposure at a young age can damage parts of the brain that control learning, attention, and (a) .
Skill/Concept: Which statement best explains how nicotine addiction forms as described by Dr. Lena Harris?
Nicotine calms the body permanently, removing the desire for more.
Nicotine changes brain chemistry so the body craves the drug just to feel normal.
Nicotine only affects the lungs and has no impact on brain chemistry.
Nicotine causes short-term relaxation without any long-term effects.
Recall: Who invented the modern electronic cigarette and in which country?
Thomas Edison in the United States
Hon Lik in China
Marie Curie in France
Akira Yoshida in Japan
Recall: In what year was the modern e-cigarette invented?
1995
2003
2010
2016
Skill/Concept: What was the original idea behind creating the e-cigarette, according to the passage?
To eliminate all nicotine from smoking
To provide nicotine without deadly tar and carbon monoxide from burning tobacco
To create a device that produces only water vapor
To help teens start smoking safely
Strategic Thinking: Based on the passage, why did marketing of e-cigarettes as a “healthier” alternative lead to wider use among people who had never smoked before? Use evidence from the text.
Recall: Which harmful chemicals were removed by avoiding burning tobacco, according to the passage?
Tar and carbon monoxide
Formaldehyde and diacetyl
Lead and arsenic
Hydrogen and oxygen
Skill/Concept: What new problem did vapes introduce even after removing some smoke chemicals?
They produced only harmless steam.
They delivered highly addictive nicotine and new dangers.
They made quitting smoking easy for everyone.
They eliminated all flavorings from tobacco products.
MATCH: Match each year range with the e-cigarette development shown in the timeline.
2007
First “cig-a-like” e‑cigarettes appear
2010
Mods and tanks
2015–2016
Pod‑based products
2018–2021
Disposable e‑cigarettes take over
2023–2025
New “smart” e‑cigarettes raise concerns
Recall: Many young people believe vaping is safer because it produces a fruity aerosol. According to the passage, why is this belief a myth?
The aerosol contains only water and vitamins.
The mist contains dangerous chemicals and heavy metals that travel deep into the lungs.
The vapor disappears instantly and cannot enter the body.
The flavorings neutralize any harmful substances.
Recall: Name one cancer-causing chemical mentioned that can be found in vape mist.
Formaldehyde
Nitrogen
Salt
Carbon dioxide
Recall: What serious lung condition is linked to flavor chemicals like diacetyl in some vape liquids?
Asthma
Popcorn Lung
Bronchitis
Emphysema
Skill/Concept: Choose the best explanation of why the term “Popcorn Lung” appears in the passage.
It is a nickname for lung irritation caused by butter-flavored chemical diacetyl in some vape liquids.
It describes a lung shape that resembles popcorn after exercise.
It refers to lungs filled with water vapor from vaping.
It is the medical term for normal lung growth in teens.
Strategic Thinking: Using the lung diagram as context, explain how the idea that vaping is “just water vapor” could mislead someone about risks to the alveoli.
Traditional cigarette smoke contains over how many chemicals, including tar and carbon monoxide, that harm the respiratory system?
(a)
Which statement best explains why some vaping devices can be mistaken for harmless items?
They are always labeled as medical devices.
They are designed to look like pens, USB drives, or small box-shaped mods.
They only work when connected to a computer.
They are larger than traditional cigarettes and harder to hide.
What is tar’s main effect on the body as described in the passage?
It speeds up the heartbeat to improve stamina.
It clogs the lungs, damaging the respiratory system.
It cleans the airways by trapping dust.
It increases oxygen in the blood to boost energy.
In the case study, what assumption led Arthur to try a disposable vape?
He believed nicotine would improve focus for tests.
He thought a sweet “watermelon ice” flavor meant it was mostly harmless.
He wanted to save money compared to buying snacks.
He was told vaping would strengthen his lungs for soccer.
According to the passage, what does carbon monoxide do to the body?
It adds extra oxygen to the blood.
It steals oxygen from the blood.
It reduces body temperature.
It coats the throat to prevent coughing.
Match each stage in Arthur’s experience with its description.
The Initial Slip
Trying a disposable vape after a friend offers it
The Focus Drain
Feeling restless and anxious without vaping, leading to poor concentration
The Athletic Crash
Becoming winded during soccer and getting benched more often
The Hidden Cost
Spending allowance on pods and having no money for other activities
Which change in school performance did Arthur experience as addiction grew?
Grades rose from C’s to B’s due to better concentration.
Grades stayed the same because vaping had no academic impact.
Grades dropped from B’s to C’s due to distraction and cravings.
Arthur switched subjects and maintained straight A’s.
What physical effect during practice signaled Arthur’s reduced lung capacity?
Finishing runs faster than teammates
Being the first to get winded and needing to stop to catch breath
Developing stronger chest muscles
Having lower heart rate during sprints
Which financial consequence did Arthur face from vaping?
Saving enough to buy a new video game
Having no money left after buying vape pods and asking for extra money
Earning rewards for quitting quickly
Receiving free school supplies for vaping
Complete the statement: Arthur’s story shows that the addiction to nicotine can quickly take over, affecting school performance, physical health, self-esteem, and (a) .
Which strategy is recommended to resist social pressure to vape?
Avoid friends who play sports.
Say “No” and remember your health matters more than fitting in.
Offer to share devices to reduce costs.
Keep cravings secret to avoid embarrassment.
OPEN: Using evidence from the passage, explain two reasons why choosing to stay nicotine-free protects a Grade 7 student’s future.
Which statement best summarizes the message under Take Action: Protect Your Health?
Only heavy smoking is unsafe; light vaping is acceptable.
No amount of smoking or vaping is safe, and help is available to quit.
Vaping is safe for athletes but not for students.
Quitting is only possible without adult support.
If a friend is struggling to quit vaping, what action does the passage recommend?
Keep quiet so they don’t feel judged.
Speak up and talk to a trusted adult, school nurse, or counselor.
Challenge them to a running race.
Suggest switching to a different flavor.
