Learning Objectives: Describe the types of tobacco prevention programs and activities being implemented in grades 4-12 in California schools.
Abstract: Despite the potential for evidence-based school tobacco prevention programs to have a positive impact on large numbers of youth, recent evidence suggests that many schools are not implementing research-based prevention approaches. This paper examines the implementation of tobacco prevention programs and activities in California schools. The data were collected for the Independent Evaluation of the California Tobacco Control Program, which investigated tobacco control activities conducted in schools, communities, and the mass media from 1996 to 2001. Using a repeated cross-sectional design, data were collected at three time points (1996, 1998, and 2000) from school-based youth (n=50,000), classroom teachers (n=1594), and school administrators (n=225) in 250 schools located in 18 California counties. Findings indicated that the majority of elementary, middle, and high schools implemented tobacco prevention lessons and at least one school-wide prevention activity, such as an assembly or school event focused on tobacco prevention. However, the majority of school districts did not report using tobacco prevention curricula that have been identified as “exemplary,” “model,” or “promising” by experts in the field. The average amount of time that teachers spent on tobacco prevention lessons in the 1998-99 school year ranged from 6.5 hours in elementary schools to 7.6 hours in high schools. Most high schools that received state tobacco control grants were implementing an on-site cessation program. The vast majority of California school districts have a written policy prohibiting the use of tobacco. These findings suggest that information regarding evidence-based school tobacco prevention programs needs to be disseminated more effectively.
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