Florida’s Tobacco Pilot Program [TPP], a youth focused effort, aims to prevent and reduce youth tobacco use through a coordinated program of education; media; community based anti-tobacco partnerships; and enforcement of tobacco. The evaluation has shown that there were significant decreases in tobacco use among middle and high school students (18% and 8%, respectively). Furthermore, an increase in tobacco use, which would have been expected, by increasing grade levels, was not observed when age-specific cohorts were examined. Between 1998 and 1999, there were increases in awareness of the TPP’s media campaign, and attitudes about tobacco use and tobacco industry manipulation improved. Media appeared to have an impact on behaviors, both on non-smokers’ decisions to remain non-smokers, and smoker’s consideration of quitting. Community partnerships were created in each county. The level of activity of community partnerships was significantly and positively associated with decreases in tobacco use among both middle and high school students. Furthermore, areas with less active partnerships were more likely to have a greater percentage of stores selling tobacco products than areas with more active partnerships. Regarding education, students receiving comprehensive tobacco use prevention education were more likely to be committed to maintaining their non-smoking behavior, or to not being current smokers. Youth in a selected subset of counties with higher levels of enforcement of tobacco laws were less likely to be smokers than youth in low enforcement counties. The programs in the TPP appear to be positively related to decreases in tobacco use among middle and high school students.
Learning Objectives: To describe the results of the evaluation of Florida’s Tobacco Pilot Program
Keywords: Tobacco, Smoking
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.