The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55189

Anna R. Ruth, MSPH¹, Carolyn J. Smith², and Iris Merryweather¹. (1) Community Education, All Children's Hospital, 801 6th Street South #9610, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727)551-4798, rutha@allkids.org, (2) Tobacco Prevention, Pinellas County Health Department, 205 Martin Luther King Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

The Alternative to Suspension program is a partnership between a children’s hospital, the local school district and a county tobacco free coalition in Florida. The goal of the partnership, which began in 1996, is to provide tobacco education to youth ages 11 to 18 that have been found to be using tobacco products on or within 1,000 feet of school grounds. First time offenders may choose between a three-day suspension, community service and an educational program focusing on tobacco awareness. The course offered is research and evaluation based and relies on the theories of behavior change in its approach. The intent of the class is to provide the attendees in-depth knowledge of tobacco and its harmful effects. The program does not focus on cessation, but on providing information, so that participants will be closer to considering behavior change at the program’s completion. The classes are taught by educators from the children’s hospital and the school district; funding is provided by the Tobacco Free Coalition. This presentation will discuss the roles of the program partners. It will also provide an overview of the evolution of the program from a hospital-based to a school-based setting. There will be a discussion on the successes and challenges of the program and evaluation results will be shared. Particular focus will be given to the measured attitude shifts among the participants regarding their tobacco use. Finally, the presentation will describe the relationship of this program to adolescent tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.

Learning Objectives:

"After attending this session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe three important program components of alternative to suspension tobacco education programs,
• Understand the attitude shift that occurs as a result of the alternative to suspension program and
• Articulate the importance of tobacco awareness and cessation programs for adolescents."

Keywords: Adolescents, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.