The effectiveness of a tobacco prevention program with adolescents living in a tobacco-producing region

Am J Public Health. 1998 Dec;88(12):1862-5. doi: 10.2105/ajph.88.12.1862.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of a social-influences tobacco prevention program conducted with adolescents living in a high tobacco production area.

Methods: Students in 10 experimental schools completed the tobacco prevention program and a booster intervention. Control students received health education as usual.

Results: After 2 years of treatment, smoking rates in the treatment group (vs the control group) were lower for 30-day, 7-day, and 24-hour smoking. The intervention had more of an impact on those who were involved in raising tobacco than it did on those not involved in raising tobacco.

Conclusions: Although modest, effects were achieved with minimal intervention time in a high-risk group, indicating that social-influences prevention programs may be effective in such groups.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Agriculture*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Education / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Kentucky
  • Male
  • Nicotiana*
  • Peer Group
  • Plants, Toxic*
  • Program Evaluation
  • School Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires