Smoking policies and programs of accredited secondary schools in Arizona were analyzed to discover the existence of written smoking policies, how students, faculty, and visitors were informed of the policy, the extent to which smoking was permitted on school grounds, availability of smoking cessation programs and the inclusion of health education…

To examine changes in cigarette smoking among high school students from 1991-99, researchers analyzed data from the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results indicate that students' current smoking increased significantly, from 27.5 percent to 34.8 percent during that time. Results also suggest that later in the decade, current smoking may have…

Used data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey to describe gender differences in rates of tobacco use among youth worldwide. Results found little difference between the genders in cigarette smoking or use of other tobacco products. There was a high use of other tobacco products compared to cigarette smoking. Findings suggest that programs should…

Surveyed Florida middle and high school principals to determine their anti-tobacco policies and enforcement strategies. All schools had formal policies, but middle schools implemented them more rigorously. Various enforcement strategies were employed formally and informally. Punitive strategies were more common than nonpunitive strategies.…

Peer-led, teacher-led, and expert-led interventions were conducted in six Vermont schools in order to test the effectiveness of each approach as a smoking deterrent on seventh grade students. Results are discussed. (Author/MT)

Ten smoking prevention-education programs are profiled in this article. Each profile includes a program description, availability of information, appropriate contacts and, when available, a brief description of program evaluations. (DF)

Documented health hazards associated with Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), especially for children, justify school smoking bans. Acknowledging that enforcement may be difficult, this article suggests several implementation strategies; stressing health benefits and positive steps to help smokers quit. (IAH)

Minnesota's "Tobacco-Free Schools" project encourages school districts to adopt policies which prohibit tobacco use for students, staff, and visitors. In one year, the project has increased the percentage of smoke-free schools in Minnesota from 3 to 43 percent. (Author/CB)

Describes the design of a cohort of 6th-grade students, methods for tracking and retaining students as they advanced through 8th and 11th grade, and costs involved for survey completion in school and by mail for students who had ever and never used tobacco. Problems unique to the school setting are addressed, with suggestions for efficient…

Kentucky public school students were surveyed to observe family influence on smoking behavior. Those children whose families were involved in tobacco production held more favorable attitudes towards smoking than their nontobacco family peers. Development of effective smoking education programs in major tobacco states is suggested. (Author/ DF)

Explored the relationship between severity of sanction imposed for tobacco policy violation and dropout rates in South Carolina public high schools. Surveys of school principals assessed policies and sanctions. Data were tested for an association between event dropout rate and sanction severity. Results suggest that severe sanctions imposed for…

A follow-up study revealed that, unless public school students are in a health education program that is part of a spiral curriculum that builds upon antismoking concepts learned earlier, students are likely to regress in attitudes towards and knowledge of the dangers of smoking. (Author/JN)

The development of the Health Belief Model has been useful in the design of health education programs. The Model establishes a base of information from which actual smoking practices and beliefs can be compared. (JN)

A description is given of a smoking prevention strategy that focuses on both the social and psychological factors involved in developing the smoking habit. (JD)

The influence of the physical and economic presence of tobacco crops on smoking behavior and related attitudes of students in tobacco-raising regions was measured by a Tobacco Crop Intensity variable. Implications for government agricultural and educational policy are discussed. (Author/DF)