Training the Trainer in Tobacco Use Prevention (TTTUP): Advancing the Role of the Academia in Tobacco Control Practices

TTTUP is a curricular project that has as its primary purpose to increase the number faculty who specializes in tobacco studies at the GSPH, University of Puerto Rico. The project seeks the development of a cadre of scholars devoted to work with the study of multiple factors associated to tobacco prevention and control. Simultaneously, it seeks to train leading practitioners in order to create a group of people who could serve as liaisons for faculty and students at the community level. The project has four major components: training, curriculum, research and service. Trainings included a series of seminars/ conferences/ (36 hours training) on diverse tobacco related issues. In terms of curriculum, it is expected that participants integrate the topic of tobacco control to existing courses. The research component seeks to identify and disseminate information on available data sources and funding opportunities. In the service component, the project proposes the creation of a clearinghouse of existing services. Project's outcomes have gone beyond expectations. Tobacco related topics have begun to be integrated to existing courses. The development of a course on tobacco prevention and control is in progress. Students' dissertations have been developed on this area. An important network has been established with national/local organizations. Community projects developed by public health practitioners are currently in progress. The TTTUP project has offered an extraordinary opportunity for the School to establish partnerships with community, governmental and private organizations in order to collaborate and contribute to tobacco prevention and control on the island.