Effectiveness of School-based Smoking Prevention Program on Ecological Model in Adolescents

Adolescent smoking prevention is an important issue in health care. This literature review describes the theoretical concept of ecological model for adolescent smoking and tobacco retailers and summarizes previous studies on the association between the density and proximity of tobacco retailers and adolescent smoking. We reviewed nine studies on tobacco retailer density and proximity in relation to adolescent smoking, published in peer-reviewed journals between 2004 and 2014. The tobacco retailer density and proximity were correlated with adolescent lifetime smoking, past 12-month smoking, past 30-day smoking, and susceptibility to smoking. School nurses or other school health professionals may need to include the density and proximity of tobacco retailer factors around schools in school-based tobacco-use prevention programs. Health policy makers may need to consider zoning or licensing restrictions of tobacco retailers around schools for adolescent smoking prevention.

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Experiences of the First Year Implementation of a Nationwide School-Based Smoking Prevention Program in Korea

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3291

Author(s):

Sookyung Kim ◽

Seunghyun Yoo ◽

Sung-il Cho ◽

Hanna Jung ◽

Yeaseul Yang

Keyword(s):

Prevention Program ◽

School Environment ◽

Smoking Prevention ◽

First Year ◽

Tobacco Prevention ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

School Contexts ◽

Lead Teachers ◽

School Based ◽

Free Generation

Encouraged by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Korea has implemented a nationwide School-based Smoking Prevention Program (SSPP) to reduce the prevalence of youth smoking. This qualitative study explored the school contexts of launching the SSPP in Seoul, Korea. Five focus groups were studied with 29 lead teachers in charge of the SSPP. Thematic analysis reveals three key findings. First, while infrastructure was insufficiently prepared due to the abrupt implementation, lead teachers agreed on the purpose of the SSPP. However, they perceived the program as myopic in only targeting smoking students and spending the mandatory budgets as a burdensome task. Second, the SSPP increased experience-based activities, influenced smoking family members, and created a smoke-free school environment. Third, to ensure more effective implementation, school principals should support inducing staff engagement. The teachers also maintained that the SSPP must be institutionalized as part of regular curricula with standardized books. For a more meaningful impact, the SSPP needs instructors and counselors to support smoking cessation programs that reflect school contexts. The teachers urged tobacco prevention measures at community, policy, and society levels. This study provides insights into a nationwide approach to initiating school-based smoking prevention program to achieve a tobacco-free generation.

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