Tobacco Use Prevention Education Research Articles

Evaluation of the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program in California.

Background and aimsThe California Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program promotes the use of evidence-based tobacco-specific prevention and cessation programs for adolescents within the school setting. Through a competitive grant process, schools are funded to provide programs for grades 6–12. This research evaluates the association between TUPE funding and tobacco prevention activities and tobacco use prevalence.MethodsThis study utilized two data sources: (1) 2016 California Educator Tobacco Survey (CETS), and (2) 2015–2016 California Student Tobacco Survey (CSTS). The CETS collected data from educators about school prevention efforts, priority of tobacco prevention, and confidence in addressing tobacco issues with students. A total of 3,564 educators from 590 schools participated in CETS. The CSTS collected data from 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in California on their exposure to, attitudes about, and utilization of tobacco products. A total of 47,981 students from 117 schools participated in CSTS.ResultsThis study found that TUPE-funded schools were more likely to provide tobacco-specific health education programs, to place a priority on tobacco-prevention efforts, and to prepare educators to address tobacco use than non-TUPE schools. Educators at both types of schools felt better prepared to talk with students about traditional tobacco products than about emerging products such as e-cigarettes. Overall, students at TUPE-funded schools were more likely to report receiving anti-tobacco messages from school-based programs than those at non-TUPE schools. The former were also less likely to use tobacco products, even when the analysis controlled for demographics and school-level characteristics (OR = 0.82 [95% CI = 0.70–0.96]).ConclusionsTUPE funding was associated with an increase in schools’ tobacco-specific prevention activities and these enhanced activities were associated with lower tobacco use among students. This study also found that education and prevention efforts regarding emerging tobacco products need to be strengthened across all schools.

Evaluation of California's in-school tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) activities using a nested school-longitudinal design, 2003–2004 and 2005–2006

BackgroundCurrent legislative language requires the California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program, to evaluate the effectiveness of the school-based Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) programme in California every...

Association of the Presence of State and District Health Education Policies With School Tobacco Prevention Program Practices*

Texas does not require health education or tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) in its middle schools. During planning for the Texas Tobacco Prevention Initiative, this baseline research was conducted to (1) describe tobacco prevention and control practices in middle schools prior to the pilot, (2) analyze implementation of a state law prohibiting tobacco use on campuses and at school events, and (3) identify how schools are influenced by district policies requiring health education. Written surveys derived from the 2000 School Health Education Profile Tobacco Module developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were completed by principals and health coordinators at schools in districts requiring health education (n = 31) and schools without district requirements (n = 32). School tobacco policy familiarity and enforcement were consistently reported in response to a state law with rigorous recommendations prohibiting tobacco use. Significantly more activity in numerous components of TUPE was reported in schools in districts with a health education requirement. Results have implications for intervention programs planned in schools located in states seeking to develop or strengthen state laws, or in states without health education or specific health content requirements.

Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Programs in the State of Florida

In Florida, data from telephone surveys were used to identify correlates and predictors of teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) prior to the implementation of the Tobacco Pilot Project (TPP). A 40% random sample of public middle and high schools yielded 296 middle school teachers (MST) and 282 high school teachers (HST). Higher perceived program effectiveness ratings were associated with: using peer leaders, frequent evaluations, parental involvement, few barriers, high student interest, and low tolerance norms for tobacco use. The importance of program features and implementation contexts to teachers' perceived program effectiveness ratings is highlighted.

Personal Strengths and Assets Among Adolescents: A Comparison of Smokers and Nonsmokers

There is limited research on the relationship between adolescent smoking and related social and psychological factors, but it is known that adolescent tobacco users are at higher risk for behavioral disorders and substance abuse. Of great interest to those who work in youth tobacco prevention is expanding knowledge about those factors that lead to tobacco use as well as about those that may buffer against its use. This study examined protective factors and personal strengths in 386 adolescents as part of a high school Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program funded by the California Department of Education. Multivariate analysis indicated a significant relationship between gender, smoking status, and personal strengths with smokers having lower levels of personal strengths. It is suggested that cessation programs consider smoking within the context of youths’ personal assets and their social support networks. School support services professionals can contribute to youth tobacco prevention efforts by attending to smoking behavior and its correlates when they are involved in assessments, consultation, or direct counseling with students.

Teachers' Perceptions of Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Programs in Florida: Relations with Perceived Barriers and Other Contextual Factors

ABSTRACT Data were collected via brief telephone surveys from two statewide random samples of middle school teachers (n = 296) and high school teachers (n = 282) responsible for tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) in Florida. Cluster analysis was used to classify teachers based on their levels of support of, commitment to, and perceived effectiveness of TUPE programs. Between-cluster differences in teachers' perceptions of TUPE were significantly associated with perceived barriers and features of school contexts, although these relationships were more consistent among middle school teachers than among high school teachers. The implications of these findings for the effective delivery of TUPE programming to adolescents at different developmental levels are discussed.