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

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.