Training Public Health Students to be Anti-Tobacco Advocates

We received financial support to develop public service announcements (PSA) about tobacco to be utilized in a University environment. Two courses taught through a summer session, Health Communications and Adolescent Health, were both used in the development of the PSA's. Nine PSAs total were developed, three about smoking cessation, three about smoking prevention, and three specifically targeted for persons with disabilities. For each set of three, the topics of cigarettes, hookah, and smokeless tobacco were used. MPH students taking the Health Communications course learned how to develop and produce PSA's. We received IRB approval to interview college students in the development to better target this audience regarding their knowledge and current use. In the Adolescent Health course, theories for risk and protective factors; peer, family and school settings for influence; and tobacco use among adolescents and emerging adults were all covered to inform the students of the issues involved. Combining courses to include one topic goal area enhances the students' education about program development and then seeing the PSAs around campus reinforces the purpose for the work involved.