Tobacco Use Prevention in Private High Schools

Abstract

This project evaluated educational and educational/social interventions to prevent tobacco use in three private, southern high schools. In the fall of 2001, 393 students completed the Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS); in the spring of 2002, 412 completed the YTS. At one school, teachers received training in tobacco prevention and curriculum-integrated materials (E-Only). At another school, teachers received the same training; in addition, the schools offered clubs after school that involved health promotion activities including programs, outside speakers, opportunities to teach younger youth, and advocacy training (E+Social). At a third school, students had classes as usual. Both fall and spring, students intended to avoid tobacco, and realized that peers disapprove. However, an interaction indicated that, though most students' attitudes deteriorated over the academic year, E+Social held steady. Results imply that prevention efforts that include education plus a social component can counteract the deterioration in tobacco attitudes that happens among private school 15-year-olds.