Implementation of a Smoking Education Initiative

Abstract

(41st Biennial Convention) Globally, smoking-related diseases kill approximately four million people a year. These alarming statistics demonstrate a need for programs aimed at eradicating smoking with an emphasis on prevention programs geared toward children and teens. Young people can be drawn to smoking by social pressures from peers and the intense media campaigns that depict smoking as making individuals more appealing to the opposite sex or as part of a desirable lifestyle. Instituting a smoking education/prevention program during the students' formative years at a University can have significant potential for life-long positive outcomes. A smoking education/prevention program was initiated at Delaware State University over two semesters. The purpose of the program was to educate college students on the effects of smoking on health, social stigma associated with smoking, media campaigns used to attract young adults to smoking and the financial impact of smoking. Permission to initiate the project was sought and obtained from the University IRB committee. Fourteen junior and senior nursing students volunteered as peer educators. The purpose of the program was explained and informed consent obtained. A gaming format was used to educate participants. A short survey collected data on subjects' age, race, sex, year in University, if the individual smoked and what type of products they smoked. Subjects were also asked if the program met stated objectives Results indicate that 153 students participated in the peer education programs. Most students were freshman and sophomores. Only a small number of participants (20.3%) reported that they smoked, however, those that did smoke used cigarettes with high tar and nicotine content. Future smoking prevention programs will need to focus on greater student participation and education on smoking cessation.