Related State or National Science Education Standards
A.4.2 When faced with a science-related problem, decide what evidence, models, or explanations previously studied can be used to better understand what is happening now.
C.4.2 Use the science content being learned to ask questions, plan investigations, make observations, make predictions, and offer explanations.
C.4.7 Support their conclusions with logical arguments.
C.4.8 Ask additional questions that might help focus or further an investigation.

III. Equipment or Materials Needed:
A. Tobacco product advertisements
B. Resource sheet listing various advertising themes: (Macho, beauty, part of the crowd, relaxation, breath of fresh air)
C. Resource handout with information about how nicotine and tar actually affect the body. Students could also use the worldwide web to search for further facts about the effects of nicotine and tar on the body.
D. Assorted materials necessary to create student’s own printed advertisements.

IV. Procedure
A. Students go through handouts and materials on the effects of smoking on the body.
B. Using the advertising themes, students critique the tobacco advertisements and classify them according to those themes.
C. Students compare the themes in the ads with what they really know about the effects of tobacco and decide for themselves: Is there truth in tobacco advertising and what is the real purpose of tobacco advertisements?

V. Assessment
A. Students create their own tobacco advertisements including their own formulated surgeon general warnings.

B. Oral presentation of advertisements to the class.