High School Students Take AntiTobacco Message Outside the Box

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High School Students Take Anti-Tobacco Message
Outside the Box
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ABSTRACT Problem/Objective The
lack of adequate funding is the greatest problem
that most schools face as they promote healthy,
anti-tobacco messages to students. With the
onslaught of tobacco advertising directed to
teenage students, it is overpowering. The
solution is to activate tobacco free students to
empower their peers not to smoke and encourage
those presently smoking to cease. Fellow
students on campus were the recipients of the
anti-tobacco message presented. Methods Members
of DECA, a club for marketing educations
students, at Northbrook High School, began by
creating a tobacco survey, which was given to
2,200 students. With these results, marketing
students created events to meet the needs of
their fellow students. The events held were
campus health fair, speakers, including Dr.
Victor DeNoble, tobacco scientist, and Justin
Lookadoo, motivational speakers. DECA students
were key leaders in a district Teens Take on
Tobacco Rally held for select middle school
students. DECA students compiled the information
and created a PowerPoint presentation on their
anti-tobacco efforts, which they presented at
the local, state, and national
competitions. Results DECA students won at the
local and state contest and presented their
anti-tobacco message at the National DECA
competition in April 2003. A second survey was
given this fall, 2003, to measure the results of
their anti-tobacco interventions. Conclusions As
a result of the campaign, students became aware
of the health hazards of tobacco use, and have
become interested in becoming mentors to their
peers about tobacco use, and are active in
continuing the anti-tobacco program next year.
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House Bill 1676

• Texas Department of Health to implement programs
  to reduce the use of tobacco products.
• Funds to be used for tobacco use cessation,
  public awareness programs, enforcement of tobacco
  laws, and programs for communities traditionally
  targeted by tobacco industry.
• 10 million appropriated per year.

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Requirements of Campus Coordinatorsfor Tobacco
Pilot Program

• Conduct at least seven (7) activities during the
  year and at least one tobacco prevention event.
• Provide education and/or training for parents and
  staff regarding dangers of tobacco, and Texas
  tobacco laws.
• Coordinate with existing group to educate
  students of the dangers of tobacco use and
  secondhand smoke.
• Participate in evaluation and surveillance
  activities including the Texas AM Survey, and/or
  local survey of student use of tobacco products.
• Campus coordinators who meet the above guidelines
  are eligible for a 1000 stipend for tobacco
  prevention activities, continuing education and
  supplies.

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Short-Term Objectives

• Increased understanding of how to reduce tobacco
  use among youth, adults, and diverse/special
  population groups
• Increased community involvement in tobacco
  prevention activities
• Increased understanding of the adverse effects of
  early use of tobacco products

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High School DECA Students Infuse Anti-Tobacco
Message to Students Through

• School Survey
• Campus Health Fair
• Nationally acclaimed Speakers
• Presentations at Local, State, and National
  Competitions

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Projected Outcomes from Implementing
Recommendations

• Encourage students to make educated decisions
• Encourage students to quit smoking
• Students will encourage parents to quit smoking
• Students will become mentors who will encourage
  other students not to smoke

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Background Information

• Female 980
• Male 1131
• 9th 832
• 10th 488
• 11th 438
• 12th 353

• NBHS Students 2111
• Hispanic/ Latino 1633
• Black/ African American174
• White 208
• Asian 94
• American Indian 1

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Findings and Conclusions
Northbrook High School Survey Results    Backgrou
nd Information   Gender Female 45
Male 55   Age 14 or
younger 12 15yr 25 16yr 26 17yr
23 18yr 12   Grade 9th 31
10th 31 11th 20 12th
14   Nationality Asian
4 Hispanic/ Latino 75  
American Indian 2 White 10  

Black/ African American 11
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Results at a Glance

• 25.6 of the students believe people smoke
  because of peer pressure
• 18.7 believe teens smoke for appearance purposes
  
• 3.5 of those who are regular smokers have smoked
  for
• 1-2 yrs
• 5.4 of those who are regular smokers have been
  
• smoking for 6 months
• 11.2 of students smoked 1-3 times a day
• A significant response reported that teens prefer
  to
• smoke at parties

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Presentation of Conclusions
Tobacco Use Have you ever smoked a
cigarette? Yes 44 No 48  
How old were you when you first
smoked? Never smoked 47 9 or younger 6
10-13 22 14-17 18 18 or older 3
If yes, how often do you smoke cigarettes a
day? 0 67 1-3 11 3-5 6 6-10
38 11-15 1 15 or more 0
How do you get cigarettes? Have someone the age
of 18 or older to buy it for you. 26 Buy
Cigarettes from a store where they dont ask for
ID. 24 I dont smoke 49
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Description of Involvement of Chapter Members

• DECA members helped distribute surveys
• DECA members tallied surveys
• DECA members helped at Health Fair
• DECA members made posters and flyers
• DECA members assisted at Middle School Teens
  Take On Tobacco Rally
• DECA members provided Dr. Victor De Noble as a
  campus speaker

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DECA Students Participate in Health Fair
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• DECA Students Tally Survey Results

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Students Win at State DECA Conference
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Dr. Victor DeNoble, Scientist, Speaks to NBHS
Students