Does a smoking prevention program in elementary schools prepare children for secondary school?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Health Behavior Interventions

Background:

• A smoking prevention program was designed for elementary school students transitioning to secondary school.
• This study evaluated the program's impact on smoking behaviors in secondary school.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of an elementary school-based smoking prevention program.
• To determine the long-term effects on smoking initiation and behavioral determinants in secondary school.

Main Methods:

• 121 Dutch schools were randomized into intervention and control groups.
• Intervention group received 6 lessons across 5th and 6th grades; control received usual care.
• Student smoking and intentions were surveyed at multiple time points, with 57% completing all questionnaires.

Main Results:

• The program showed limited immediate effects but significant long-term impacts in secondary school.
• Intervention group had higher intention not to smoke (β=0.13) and lower smoking rates (OR=0.59).
• Smoking prevalence increased less in the intervention group (2.5% to 3.6%) compared to the control group (3.2% to 6.5%), with girls showing the most significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Elementary school-based smoking prevention programs can be effective in preventing adolescent smoking.
• Early intervention strategies show promise for long-term behavioral change in youth smoking.