What do stinky cheese, cartoon like ads, a rat named Terrance and a dance troupe called the "Rat Pack" have in common? They're all fun, visual, educational tools designed to get a tobacco free message across to children in grades K-3. R.A.T. stands for "Reject All Tobacco". The "Reject All Tobacco" message is integrated in the school, community, and in the media. In the media, youths see R.A.T. branded advertising, which educates youths on the consequences of tobacco use. On the Internet, youths can log onto an award winning interactive web site. In schools and communities around the state, Terrance appears as a computer-animated character with the "Rat Pack." The "Rat Pack" is a high energy performing arts group made up of kids ages 10-15 which sing and dance to completely original anti-tobacco songs. Also, these messages are integrated into the existing classroom curricula through interactive learning activities. These materials enhance the "Rat Pack" performance, integrating tobacco control lessons into core subject areas at no additional cost to the school or teacher. Professional health educators trained over 2,500 teachers to implement these messages. Teachers are also provided with R.A.T. activity guides, which provide age-appropriate advocacy activities. School materials were developed in accordance with CDC school health guidelines. Students take "Rat Pack" information packets home to their parents offering opportunities to discuss tobacco issues. Like Terrance says, "You better tell somebody…", this program tells everybody about the dangers of using tobacco, in a fun, educational, and comprehensive way.
Learning Objectives: 1) Identify methods to incorporate consistent age appropriate anti-tobacco messages into multiple modalities. 2) Identify technological opportunities for messaging to lower elementary age youth
Keywords: Health Education Strategies, Youth
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.