Elsevier

Preventive Medicine

Volume 27, Issue 5, Part B, September 1998, Pages A55-A63
Preventive Medicine

Regular Article
Exploring Perceptions of Smoking Cessation among High School Smokers: Input and Feedback from Focus Groups

https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1998.0382Get rights and content

Abstract

Background.Despite many approaches to smoking cessation for youths, few programs have been thoroughly evaluated and found successful. To help the American Medical Association develop, implement, and evaluate an effective program, formative research was conducted.

Methods.Four focus groups were conducted with high school smokers in the Chicago area to obtain input into interventions. Subsequently, five similar focus groups were conducted in Delaware and Denver, and a focus group of school health providers was conducted as well, to obtain feedback on a draft protocol and ideas.

Results.Participants did not consider quitting smoking serious or urgent. They are unfamiliar with the idea of a smoking cessation program. People they would trust to help them quit include people who care about them, successful quitters, and psychologists. They had mixed reactions to physicians. They did not trust school personnel and locations. Participants found it hard to imagine what might draw them to a cessation program, except money, small enticements, and short sessions. They might keep coming to progress toward their own objectives or for interesting activities. Lecturing, nagging, and preaching would repel them. They doubted that a program would do anything else. They were highly sensitive about confidentiality.

Conclusions.Attracting participants is critical. Program component ideas include personal physicians; adding other topics for a more attractive bundle; ensuring confidentiality; and ensuring no lecturing, preaching, or nagging.

References (17)

  • JO Prochaska et al.

    Attendance and outcomes in a work site weight control program: processes and stages of change as process and predictor variables

    Addictive Behav

    (1992)
  • Preventing tobacco use among young people. A report of the surgeon general

    (1994)
  • DE Nelson et al.

    Trends in cigarette smoking among US adolescents, 1974 through 1991

    Am J Pub Health

    (1995)
  • Morbidity Mortality Weekly Rep.

    (April 3, 1998)
  • Badovinac, K, Smoking cessation programs for adolescents: an overview of the literature,...
  • AE Goldman et al.

    The group depth interview: principles and practices

    (1987)
  • RA Krueger

    Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research, 2nd ed.

    (1994)
  • WD Wells

    Group interviewing

    (1974)
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

Ferber, R

1

To whom reprint requests should be addressed at 635 S. Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304-1129. Fax: (708) 784-3002. E-mail:[email protected].

View full text