 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Mia Hanos Zimmermann, MPH, Tobacco Dependence Program, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Public Health, 317 George Street, Suite 210, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, Wendy A. Ritch, MA, MTS, Health Systems & Policy Division, University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ, UMDNJ School of Public Health, Liberty Plaza, 335 George Street, Suite 3600, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688, and Michael Burke, EdD, Tobacco Dependence Program, UMDNJ School of Public Health, 317 George St. Suite 210, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, 732 235-8225, michael.burke@umdnj.edu.
Objective: The main aim of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to providing treatment for tobacco dependence for students in schools. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with school staff to collect data on staff knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding tobacco issues and policies at their schools. Twenty-nine administrators, student assistance counselors, guidance counselors and nurses from 8 different high schools were interviewed. The interviews were tape recorded, transcribed and analyzed using qualitative data analysis. Results: When asked about including a test for nicotine when testing for other substance approximately half the staff believed it could be beneficial as an educational tool whereas other staff believed that the test would be unfounded because tobacco is a legal substance. Staff in general were supportive of students using nicotine replacement at school. Upon completion of the needs assessment, it was obvious that the majority of school staff believed that their students were smoking and were probably addicted. Staff were in agreement that students should receive help to quit smoking. Conclusion: The role of the school in treatment was questionable to many staff. Schools have historically provided support for students and have referred students to outside agencies for alcohol and other drug use. The role of the school in treating the addicted smoker needs to be further explored. Schools should transform their punitive tobacco policies into those that are oriented more toward rehabilitation than punishment.
Learning Objectives:
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.