Do the SMART ThingSM: Engaging youth in tobacco prevention

According to the 2007 American Cancer Society Cancer Facts and Figures, 87% of all lung cancer deaths are directly attributed to tobacco use.¹ Awareness of the dangers of smoking in youth became a focus in the late 1990s due to an increase in youth tobacco use.² In response to this increase, Independence Blue Cross developed the Do the SMART Thing^SM Mobile Youth Smoking Prevention Program.

This forty-minute program, delivered on the Independence Blue Cross wellness van, provides fifth graders in the Philadelphia area with information and resources to help them maintain a smoke-free lifestyle.

Students are educated about the poisonous chemicals contained in cigarettes; the effects of smoking on the body; and the price of smoking over a lifetime. Results from a post-program questionnaire, given to all participants two to three weeks after the program visit, have demonstrated retention of basic smoking prevention concepts.

Due to the program's success, Independence Blue Cross expanded their outreach to all elementary schools within Chester County. The program expansion was the result of a collaboration with Areufit Health Services Inc., the Chester County Health department, and funding from the State Tobacco Settlement.

Since inception in 1998, Independence Blue Cross has delivered this program to over 12,000 students in over 50 schools, with an additional 28 schools targeted in 2007.

Increasing knowledge of the dangers of smoking among youth continues to be a challenge. Collaborative efforts between the private and public sectors demonstrate that programs like this are a worthwhile investment for all stakeholders.