School-based Novel Tobacco Control Model for Encouraging Tobacco Prevention and Cessation

Abstract

Context: A school-based novel tobacco control model can play a crucial role in encouraging tobacco prevention and cessation among students. Tobacco use is a global public health concern, and targeting prevention and cessation efforts at a young age is essential to curb the long-term health consequences associated with tobacco consumption. Incorporating games, interactive activities, and educative movies can significantly enhance tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. This multifaceted approach engages individuals in various ways, making the message more memorable and impactful. By combining these elements, we can create a comprehensive approach that caters to different learning styles and preferences especially for younger audiences who are more accustomed to digital and interactive experiences. The key is to make the educational experience engaging, informative, and motivating, ultimately increasing the likelihood of successful tobacco prevention and cessation outcomes. Aim: To create a comprehensive and effective program that can raise awareness, prevent initiation and promote cessation of tobacco. Design: Pre-Post Intervention Quasi-Experimental Study. Setting: Schools across Bangalore city, India. Participants: High school Students. Methods: A 90-minute comprehensive session on tobacco awareness was developed for a classroom setting to educate, train, and promote positive changes in attitudes and behaviours among school children, which includes five components: an antitobacco short film, educational games and a mobile app, an interactive PowerPoint presentation, and small group activities for brainstorming and practicing resistance skills. These tools are strategically designed as motivational aids to encourage tobacco cessation and prevention. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Knowledge enhancement, attitude change, behaviour modification, engagement and participation and program effectiveness. Measures used were pre-and post-intervention assessments, feedback from students, educators, and quantitative data analysis. Results: Results suggest students' positive perceptions of the games within the tobacco control model, specifically user-friendliness (P < 0.05), usefulness (P < 0.01), and acceptability (P < 0.01), and higher intention to quit tobacco. This finding underscores the importance of creating engaging and well-designed interventions, such as interactive games, to effectively influence students' attitudes and behaviours related to tobacco use. Conclusions and Relevance: The school-based novel tobacco control model stands as a promising and relevant approach to addressing tobacco prevention and cessation among students.