NCJ Number
171430
Editor(s)
R A Goodman
Date Published
1994
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, 82 percent of daily smokers begin smoking before 18 years of age, and more than 3,000 young people begin smoking each day, school programs designed to prevent tobacco use may be one of the most effective strategies available to reduce tobacco use.
Abstract
Guidelines for school-based smoking prevention strategies have been developed by the Centers for Disease Control, in collaboration with experts from 29 Federal, national, and voluntary agencies and with other leading authorities in the field of tobacco use prevention to help school personnel implement effective tobacco use prevention programs. These guidelines are based on a detailed review of research, theory, and current practice in the area of school-based tobacco use prevention. They recommend all schools develop and enforce a school policy on tobacco use; provide instruction about negative physiological and social consequences of tobacco use, social influences on tobacco use, peer norms regarding tobacco use, and refusal skills; provide tobacco use prevention education in kindergarten through 12th grade; provide program-specific training for teachers; involve parents or families in support of school-based tobacco use prevention programs; support cessation efforts among students and school staff who use tobacco; and assess the tobacco use prevention program at regular intervals. 71 references