Youth Knowledge, Interpersonal Skills, and Media Attitudes After Anti-Tobacco Training

ABSTRACT

To see if youth tobacco use prevention training improves knowledge, interaction skills, and awareness of media influences, junior high and high school students (161 at pre-test, 176 at post-test) from southeastern U.S. public schools completed questionnaires before and after anti-tobacco lessons. After training, high school (but not junior high) students more strongly supported anti-tobacco policy. All students saw themselves as immune to tobacco media influence, but others as susceptible. An implication is that tobacco use prevention interventions for high school youth should focus on policy issues, and for all youth should teach critical viewing skills to resist the powerful messages put forth by the tobacco industry.

KEYWORDS:

• Cigarette
• tobacco
• youth
• teens
• training