Tobacco Use Prevention Program (TUPP)

Harvey Ruschmann, CDP, NCACI

Cascades Job Corps Center

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Youth Tobacco Use in the U.S.

Everyday, nearly 3,000 youth under the age of 18 become regular smokers SAMHS, Unpublished Data, 1994

90% of adults who smoke regularly started before age 19 Average age of initiation is 14.5

National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 1991

One out of three youths in the United States is using tobacco by age 18Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People: Surgeon General, 1994

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Nicotine Addiction

Youth tobacco users become adult tobacco users

Youth tobacco users report: Inability to stop Increased tolerance to nicotine Need to increase use

Only 5% of tobacco users believe they will be using 5 years later; 75% still use 5-6 years later Monitoring the Future Project, 1976-1986

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Breaking the Addiction

Youth tobacco users frequently try to quit but are unsuccessful

The most important reason for wanting to quit is health

Number one fear: failure to succeed

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Cascades Job Corps Center Development

Offer Classes (4 times a year) During convenient hours and days Set schedule Qualified Instructor

Offer Incentives Pizza Party Phone Card Resources (candy, gum, water bottles, stress balls)

Medication (nicotine replacement therapy)

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Lessons Learned from Youth

3 Questions asked: Why did you start using tobacco? Why do you continue to use tobacco? What is your biggest worry about quitting?

Most common responses: Stress Boredom Peer and family pressure

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E.N.D. Program Content

8 modules (2 hour)

Wide variety of teaching techniques Role Playing Up to date Videos (MTV) Pig Lungs, Nicotine Demo, Emphysema Demo

Focus on social skill building Refusal, Types of communication, Goal Setting

Utilizes group counseling approach

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Program Objectives

Influence knowledge, attitude, belief, intention

Increase self-efficacy and motivation

Social skills through “hands-on” practice

Behavior change: reduction, cessation, quit attempts

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Preliminary Data Results (1999-2003)

N=160 student employees

Average length of tobacco use + 3.4 years

80.6% of parents smoke

25% of friends are not pressuring them to use tobacco

72.1% had tried to quit prior to class

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Preliminary Data Results (continued)

Average quit attempts made=2.6

73.3% were thinking about quitting

73.3% tried to quit during class (< 1 month)

16.3% quit (> 1 month)

Significant reduction in use

Significant changes in attitude

75% found class useful or very useful

90.9% would recommend class

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Health Benefits of Tobacco Cessation

“Smoking cessation represents the single most important step smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives.”

Antonio C. Novello, MD, MPH, Surgeon General,

Public Health Service

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From a Youth’s Point of View…

“Taking a smoking cessation class may sound like a waste of time…In fact when I enrolled in the class it was for nothing else but a credit. At no point before I attended the class did I ever think that it would be beneficial to my smoking habit…time went by and I was proven wrong.”

Student, age 16

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From a Youth’s Point of View…

“This class isn’t like any other class that you go into and act like you are listening to the teacher…do all your homework and get your grade, then it’s off to another class and don’t even remember a thing you’ve learned. All this information will really stick with me my whole life.”

Student, age 18

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From a Youth’s Point of View…

“I would recommend this class for anyone with the desire to stop smoking and little faith that they can do it.”

Student, age 19

“I would have to say that this was one of the best classes I have ever taken, as far as my health is concerned.”

Student, age 17