Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114006

Kathryn Reese, BA, Pamela Brackett, MNO, Mahrin Rahman, Carissa Lucas, BA, and Scott, H. Frank, MD, MPH. Division of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106, 216-368-1501, kathryn.reese@cwru.edu

Objective: The Off (Officially free from) nicotine adolescent (age 13 to 22years) smoking cessation program represents an effective, multi-setting, decentralized structure for recruitment and retention of teens for peer treatment of nicotine dependence. Despite prevention efforts: a substantial teen population can benefit from smoking cessation; nicotine addiction in adolescents may occur quickly and at high rates; teens desire cessation support; and adult cessation programs are not effective for adolescents.

Methods: The four session teen-oriented curriculum, led by certified young adult smoking cessation coaches, places emphasis upon flexibility and diversity of cessation venues due to difficulty in recruitment and retention of teens. The Off program emphasizes: 1) comprehensive personal assessment of tobacco use; 2) personal strategic cessation planning; 3) cognitive restructuring techniques; and 4) relapse prevention. The cessation approach confronts the use of nicotine for affect regulation; physiologic need for nicotine; and self image as smoker. The Off program provides referrals for pharmacological adjunct if appropriate. Cessation streams offered include: the primary approach of face-to-face counseling for individuals or groups in school, community, and health care settings; a secondary stream involves an innovative cell phone cessation protocol. Recruitment efforts extend to schools, community organizations, and healthcare settings that serve African American and Hispanic teens and have high tobacco rates.

Outcome: Program success is determined through: youth participants, completion rates, rates of reported reduced smoking, and cessation rates. To verify long-term effectiveness, follow-up will occur at one, two, and six month intervals.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• Identify key components and behavior change tools of the Off Nicotine teen cessation program.
• Apply the Teen Smokers CAGE evaluation strategy of the teen cessation program in determining use of nicotine for affect regulation, physiologic need for nicotine, and establishment of self identity as smoker and non-smoker.
• Utilize the Five Step Procedure as a cognitive restructuring technique useful for behavior change.
• Describe the utility of the four session cognitive behavioral curriculum for teens.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.