“High School Students Take Anti-Tobacco

Message Outside the Box”

ABSTRACTProblem/Objective:The lack of adequate funding is the greatest problem that most schools face as they promote healthy, anti-tobacco messages to students. With the onslaught of tobacco advertising directed to teenage students, it is overpowering. The solution is to activate tobacco free students to empower their peers not to smoke and encourage those presently smoking to cease. Fellow students on campus were the recipients of the anti-tobacco message presented.Methods:Members of DECA, a club for marketing educations students, at Northbrook High School, began by creating a ‘tobacco survey’, which was given to 2,200 students. With these results, marketing students created events to meet the needs of their fellow students. The events held were campus health fair, speakers, including Dr. Victor DeNoble, tobacco scientist, and Justin Lookadoo, motivational speakers. DECA students were key leaders in a district “Teens Take on Tobacco Rally” held for select middle school students. DECA students compiled the information and created a PowerPoint presentation on their anti-tobacco efforts, which they presented at the local, state, and national competitions.Results:DECA students won at the local and state contest and presented their anti-tobacco message at the National DECA competition in April 2003. A second survey was given this fall, 2003, to measure the results of their anti-tobacco interventions.Conclusions:As a result of the campaign, students became aware of the health hazards of tobacco use, and have become interested in becoming mentors to their peers about tobacco use, and are active in continuing the anti-tobacco program next year.

House Bill 1676

• Texas Department of Health to implement programs to reduce the use of tobacco products.

• Funds to be used for tobacco use cessation, public awareness programs, enforcement of tobacco laws, and programs for communities traditionally targeted by tobacco industry.

• $10 million appropriated per year.

Requirements of Campus Coordinatorsfor Tobacco Pilot Program

• Conduct at least seven (7) activities during the year and at least one tobacco prevention event.

• Provide education and/or training for parents and staff regarding dangers of tobacco, and Texas tobacco laws.

• Coordinate with existing group to educate students of the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

• Participate in evaluation and surveillance activities including the Texas A&M Survey, and/or local survey of student use of tobacco products.

Campus coordinators who meet the above guidelines are eligible for a $1000 stipend for tobacco prevention activities, continuing

education and supplies.

Short-Term Objectives

• Increased understanding of how to reduce tobacco use among youth, adults, and diverse/special population groups

• Increased community involvement in tobacco prevention activities

• Increased understanding of the adverse effects of early use of tobacco products

High School DECA Students Infuse Anti-Tobacco Message to Students

Through:

• School Survey

• Campus Health Fair

• Nationally acclaimed Speakers

• Presentations at Local, State, and National Competitions

• Encourage students to make educated decisions

• Encourage students to quit smoking

• Students will encourage parents to quit smoking

• Students will become mentors who will encourage other students not to smoke

Projected Outcomes from Implementing Recommendations

NBHS Students: 2111

• Hispanic/ Latino: 1633

• Black/ African American:174

• White: 208

• Asian: 94

• American Indian: 1

• Female: 980

• Male: 1131

• 9th: 832

• 10th: 488

• 11th: 438

• 12th: 353

Background Information

Northbrook High School Survey Results  Background Information: Gender: Female 45% Male 55%  Age: 14 or younger 12% 15yr 25% 16yr 26% 17yr 23% 18yr 12% Grade: 9th 31% 10th 31% 11th 20% 12th 14% Nationality: Asian 4% Hispanic/ Latino 75%  American Indian 2% White 10%  Black/ African American 11%

Findings and Conclusions

• 25.6% of the students believe people smoke because of peer pressure

• 18.7% believe teens smoke for appearance purposes

• 3.5% of those who are regular smokers have smoked for 1-2 yrs

• 5.4 % of those who are regular smokers have been smoking for 6 months

• 11.2% of students smoked 1-3 times a day

• A significant response reported that teens prefer to smoke at parties

Results at a Glance

How old were you when you first smoked?

Never smoked 47% 9 or younger 6% 10-13 22% 14-17 18% 18 or older 3%

Tobacco UseHave you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes 44% No 48%

 

If yes, how often do you smoke cigarettes a day?0 67% 1-3 11% 3-5 6% 6-10 38% 11-15 1% 15 or more 0%

If you are a regular smoker how long have you been smoking? 0 74% 6months 4% 6month-1yr 2% 1yr-2yr 3% 2yrs-3yrs 2% 3yrs-up 3%

Do your parents know you smoke? Yes 13% No 58%

Don’t smoke 28% When do you prefer to smoke a cigarette?In a car 8% after meals 8% At a party 25% On a break while at work 10% I don’t smoke 47%  How do you get cigarettes?Have someone the age of 18 or older to buy it for you. 26%Buy Cigarettes from a store where they don’t ask for ID. 24%I don’t smoke 49%

Presentation of Conclusions

Description of Involvement of Chapter Members

• DECA members helped distribute surveys

• DECA members tallied surveys

• DECA members helped at Health Fair

• DECA members made posters and flyers

• DECA members assisted at Middle School “Teens Take On Tobacco Rally”

• DECA members provided Dr. Victor De Noble as a campus speaker

DECA Students Participate in Health Fair

DECA Students Tally Survey Results

Students Win at State DECA Conference

Dr. Victor DeNoble, Scientist, Speaks to NBHS Students