Evaluation of Grampian Smokebusters: a smoking prevention initiative aimed at young teenagers

Abstract

Background: The Health of the nation aims 'to reduce the number of young people who start to smoke'. Smokebusters is a specific health promotion approach with the aim of encouraging non-smoking as the norm and developing a non-smoking peer group.

Methods: This study of the Grampian club was undertaken to measure any change in the prevalence of smoking as well as knowledge and awareness of the regional Smokebusters club in the target group (10-13-year-olds). School-based questionnaires were administered to a one in ten sample of the target population, followed up four years after the launch of the club, to establish the prevalence of self-reported smoking in comparison with Scottish national smoking surveys, attitudes to smoking and the Smokebusters club, and to explore lifestyle factors.

Results: The club was very popular and attracted over half of the eligible children. After four years, smoking prevalence in Grampian was similar to Scottish levels, and former club members were just as likely to have started smoking as those who had never joined.

Conclusions: Membership of Smokebusters does not seem to reduce the smoking prevalence among young people. However, Smokebusters competes in a social environment where many adults and children smoke, where it is still fairly easy for children to obtain cigarettes and where tobacco is extensively promoted. This evaluation focused on the outcome of the Smokebusters, and not on the process and impact. Finally, results of this intervention might include long-term benefits for children and the wider community which are not measured by this study.