A química por trás do cigarro eletrônico: uma proposta pedagógica contextualiza para o ensino de química no ensino médio.

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular, especially among adolescents and young adults, and are often presented as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. However, scientific evidence has shown that these devices contain potentially toxic chemical substances and that their use is associated with several health risks. This study aimed to analyze the chemical aspects related to electronic cigarettes and discuss their potential as a contextualized topic for teaching Chemistry in high school through the proposal of pedagogical strategies that promote scientific literacy and health education. This qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted through a literature review. Scientific articles, books, dissertations, theses, and official documents published between 2014 and 2025 were consulted from databases such as SciELO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the CAPES Journal Portal. The results showed that the e-liquids used in electronic smoking devices are mainly composed of nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavoring agents. When heated, these substances may generate toxic compounds such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, in addition to releasing heavy metals from the device components. The review also demonstrated that this topic facilitates the contextualization of concepts related to organic chemistry, solutions, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, physicochemical properties, and toxicology, bringing scientific knowledge closer to students' daily lives. Furthermore, active learning strategies, such as case studies, debates, mock trials, and problem-based learning, contribute to the development of critical thinking and increase students' awareness of the risks associated with electronic cigarette use. It is concluded that integrating chemical knowledge, health education, and contextualized teaching practices is an effective strategy to strengthen Chemistry teaching and promote students' scientific literacy and citizenship.