Influence of a family-directed program on adolescent cigarette and alcohol cessation

Programs to reduce adolescent cigarette or alcohol use by users in general populations have only recently been evaluated. Moreover, in spite of the substantial influence families have on their children, few family-directed programs designed to reduce the prevalence of adolescent smoking and drinking have been rigorously evaluated. This paper reports the findings of research designed to determine whether a family program reduced use of cigarettes or alcohol by users. The program consisted of a series of booklets mailed to families and follow-up telephone calls by health educators. A randomized experimental design involved families with children ages 12-14 throughout the United States. Data were collected by telephone at baseline and 3 and 12 months after the program was completed. No statistically significant program effects were observed for cessation or decrease in smoking and drinking by users.