One-Year Effects of Project EX in Spain: A Classroom-Based Smoking Prevention and Cessation Intervention Program.

María T Gonzálvez,José P Espada,Steve Sussman,Daniel Soto,Mireia Orgilés,Andrew R Dalby

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130595

María T Gonzálvez, José P Espada + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130595

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Abstract

BackgroundTobacco use prevalence rates are high among Spanish adolescents. Programming to counteract tobacco use is needed.Methods and FindingsThe current study provides a one-year follow-up outcome evaluation of Project EX, an eight-session classroom-based curriculum. The intervention was tested using a randomized controlled trial with 1,546 Spanish students, involving three program and three control schools. Compared to the control condition, the program condition revealed a greater reduction in nicotine dependence (p < .05) and CO ppm levels (p < .001), and lower consumption of cigarettes at last month (p = .03).ConclusionsLong-term outcomes of the Project EX classroom-based program are promising for adolescent prevention and possibly cessation in Spain.

Highlights

Tobacco use has become a pediatric epidemic in Spain, because most new smokers begin at school age [1], and most regular adolescent tobacco users continue to use tobacco into adulthood [2]
Long-term outcomes of the Project EX classroom-based program are promising for adolescent prevention and possibly cessation in Spain
The latest survey from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs found that 54% of young Europeans aged 15 years had smoked cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, and more than half of the lifetime smokers had smoked cigarettes in the last 30 days [3]. These data may be contrasted with that of the United States, where approximately 7% of high school students indicated some form of tobacco use at least once in the previous month [4]