Video-based Tobacco Prevention in Schools: a Randomised Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

In Europe, the smoking prevalence of 15- and 16-year-olds is high (30 days prevalence: 28%). School-based tobacco use prevention programs might be fostered by the use of videotapes in which the students give a statement about their attitude toward smoking. 12 to 16-year-old students in 35 classes were randomly assigned into an intervention (in which statements of students were videotaped) and a control group. Students were asked about their smoking, their intention to smoke, their commitment not to smoke, their knowledge about smok-ing, and about side effects, such as negative peer pressure and stigmatisation of smokers. 619 students participated and 467 returned the questionnaire (75%). 211 (46%) of the students have ever tried smoking and 90 students declared themselves as current smokers. Almost two out of three students intend to reduce or quit smoking. However, this did not differ between the intervention and the control group. Videotaping students' commitment not to smoke may reinforce the non-smoking students in their behaviour. Smoking students, however, do not change their smoking due to the videotaping in the class and the possible side effects should be considered.