Prevention and Treatment of Smoking in School Age Children

Abstract

Considerable erosion of gains have often been found during follow-up periods for behavioral treatment programs directed towards adult smokers. Focusing more attention on preventing smoking among youngsters currently not smoking or reducing smoking among those just beginning the habit might produce more favorable results. The present study used role playing, an economical and easy to administer technique with children. Two ninth grade treatment classes engaged in seven weekly role playing sketches, depicting everyday encounters with smoking. A fifteen minute discussion followed each role play. At program end, rates of smoking decreased for E children and increased for Cs. Gains in the E group were maintained at a three-month follow-up period.