To be effective in preventing youth tobacco use, school districts and schools need to look beyond classroom instruction and toward developing a more comprehensive approach. This document outlines five essential components for effective school tobacco use prevention, along with examples and suggested staff development for each component. To ensure successful implementation, ongoing program evaluation should be used to guide improvements and determine impact.
The components and associated examples are based on earlier research cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, best practice within the school health field, and the Surgeon General’s 2012 report on Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults.
Colorado Education Initiative