Effectiveness of a school-based multi-component smoking prevention intervention: the LdP cluster randomized...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• Adolescent smoking remains a significant public health concern globally.
• Effective school-based interventions are crucial for preventing smoking initiation and uptake.
• The Luoghi di Prevenzione-Prevention Grounds program aimed to address this issue in Italian secondary schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Luoghi di Prevenzione-Prevention Grounds school-based smoking prevention programme.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on adolescent smoking behaviors.
• To determine the reduction in daily smoking and smoking in school areas.

Main Methods:

• A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 989 students aged 14-15 years across 13 secondary schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
• The intervention included an out-of-school workshop (Smoking Prevention Tour - SPT), an in-depth lesson, a peer-led life-skills program, and policy enforcement.
• Data on past 30-day smoking were collected via surveys at baseline and 18 months post-intervention, analyzed using intention-to-treat, random effects logistic regression, and propensity score-matching.

Main Results:

• Intervention students showed a 31% reduction in past 30-day smoking and a 46% reduction in daily cigarette use at 18-month follow-up compared to controls.
• Among baseline non-smokers, daily smoking was 59% lower in the intervention group at 18 months.
• Past 30-day smoking within school areas decreased by 62% among intervention students.

Conclusions:

• The Luoghi di Prevenzione-Prevention Grounds program proved effective in reducing daily smoking among adolescents.
• The intervention successfully decreased smoking prevalence within school environments.
• This program offers a promising model for school-based smoking prevention strategies.