Oklahoma's youth-driven tobacco policy campaigns: assessment of impacts and lessons learned

Youth engagement is an important component of comprehensive tobacco control programs. Oklahoma has dozens of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) teams throughout the state. Traditionally, SWAT has focused more on community and peer education than policy initiatives. To systematically engage SWAT members in high-impact policy work, Oklahoma launched new training materials and policy-focused campaigns in October 2011.

To examine initial campaign implementation and impact, including outcomes and lessons learned.

Youth baseline and post-campaign survey data and program coordinator post-campaign survey data were collected in 2011-2012 and analyzed in 2013. Chi-square analyses and t tests were used to identify differences in youths' attitudes, self-efficacy, and activism behavior. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of coordinator survey data were used to identify barriers to campaign implementation. Copies of passed policies were collected.

Youths' tobacco-related attitudes (p<0.001) and confidence to implement local policy campaigns (p=0.011) and discuss Big Tobacco's lies (p=0.048) were higher at follow-up. Excepting survey collection (p=0.019), youth did not engage in new advocacy behaviors during the study period. Seven policies were partly attributed to the campaigns. Timing, lack of training, and material format were identified as barriers to implementation.

When implementing similar programs, significant planning must go into the timing of the launch. Instruction must be provided to local staff before materials are disseminated. Developed materials must account for short meetings and limited access to technology. With some adjustments, campaigns like these could prove valuable tools for engaging youth in high-impact local tobacco control efforts.