Unit 4 Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 298 for you, such as talking with a friend or getting physical activity. You learned about some additional stress management strategies in Lesson 5.3. Think Critically Advertisements for cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco try to make these products look attractive. Companies that sell tobacco products cannot advertise on television, the radio, or print publications. Instead, tobacco companies have to use sneaky strategies to persuade people to use their products. Using critical thinking skills can help you recognize the tobacco industry’s practices and avoid being tricked. Today, most people know that cigarettes are dangerous. Since this knowledge is widespread, tobacco companies have changed the types of products they sell to appeal to young people. For example, some tobacco products look like electronic devices, breath strips, and flavored candy. Addiction Prevention Many factors determine the likelihood that a young person will use tobacco products. Most people form these habits at a young age. One of the most important ways to prevent addiction is never to use tobacco products in the first place. There will be many negative influences in a young person’s life that may influence someone to try vaping or smoking, including peer pressure and representations of it in the media. There are also positive influences that may convince young people not to vape or smoke. The power of positive peer pressure can weigh heavily on someone’s decision. You have the power to be a positive influence on your friends’ (and classmates’) decision to say no to tobacco products. Nicotine-Free Pledge and Personal Promise Design a Nicotine-Free Pledge and encourage your friends and classmates to sign one, too. See the basic example below to better understand the wording in a pledge. Do additional research to get ideas for what a pledge could look like. In addition to the pledge statement, add the following extra information to make your pledge special: • an inspirational quote • at least one image • at least three harmful effects of tobacco use • at least two benefits of being nicotine-free • other relevant information or images (if applicable) If you are choosing to be nicotine-free, sign the pledge. With teacher permission, hang the pledges at your school to advocate for nicotine-free youth. BUILDING Your Skills I Am Saying NO to Tobacco Products! I, ______________________________ , pledge to be nicotine-free. (person’s name) Nicotine-Free Pledge