Learning Objectives: Identify three components of a successful on-site, parenting teen smoking cessation group.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: Rates of teen tobacco use rose sharply in the 1990’s, from 27 to 34.9 percent nationally. Recent developments in tobacco use prevention have not adequately addressed serving teens already smoking. Mom’s Quit Connection (MQC), a perinatal smoking cessation program funded through the New Jersey Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program provides cessation services to pregnant women and new moms. Due to the unique needs of pregnant and parenting teens, MQC has recently developed a group model to better serve the teenage population.
Methods: MQC’s group model addresses smoking cessation, relapse prevention and education on secondhand smoke in alternative high schools, educating pregnant and parenting teens. Six weeks of group topics include identifying triggers, stress management, self esteem and peer pressure. Participants complete pre and post tests and receive carbon monoxide testing throughout group. Cessation counseling is provided and encouraged for each participant.
Results: In January 2003, MQC conducted a group in a southern New Jersey alternative high school. Students attended the group bi-weekly and attained health credits for their involvement. The group maintained a 60% participation compliance rate and all agreed to follow up phone calls. Participants who quit smoking maintained a zero level of carbon monoxide and participants who continued to smoke had decreased CO levels at the conclusion of group.
Conclusions: Conducting groups in alternative settings reaches students at a higher risk for tobacco use and pregnancy, provides education and individual case management to students already using tobacco, and eliminates transportation and childcare needs, increasing compliance rates.
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Back to Cessation, Nicotine, and the Science of Addiction
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)