ACTT is a 5-year state-funded program of primary or secondary smoking prevention for high school students. Ten focus groups were conducted with 9th graders (33WM; 38 BM; 24 WF; 28 BF; 11 Asians) in 5 Louisiana parishes. Ethnic differences were observed in smoking history, parental influence and response to teen smoking. Most students experimented because of curiosity, boredom, relaxation, or ²everybody¢s doing it². Many quit because of health concerns, sports, physical appearance, smell or taste. Smokers rationalized smoking and disease, indicating Surgeon General¢s warning ineffective. None cared if their friends smoked or not. Friends can get you to try smoking, but friends cannot influence you to continue smoking. Majority of participants agreed that external media has no influence on teen smoking. Smoking is a personal choice. Most had parents or other family who smoked; some parents encouraged it, most parents being more concerned about illicit drugs. Availability is easy: from family, friends, businesses that don¢t check age, or older people solicited to buy for them. All knew the smoking policy in their schools; all had observed teachers and other adults smoking on school campuses. Ideas for school media and activities were generated which will be useful in development. Students felt that parents and teachers need to be better role models, teens need to know someone cares, and personal choices will be better. Obvious areas of intervention are environmental policy enforcement and education, school tobacco policies, parental influence, and school media that focus on student concerns.
Learning Objectives: Review the importance of formative evaluation for program development. Identify the method used to analyze qualitative assessment. Apply formative evaluation to development of intervention activities.
Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.