The kids aren't doing much better than us old folks

[Vocalek]

I was surprised to see how low the success rates are for smoking interventions for young folks.

This paper provides a review of the last two and a half decades of research in adolescent and young-adult tobacco use cessation. A total of 66 tobacco cessation intervention studies – targeted or population – are reviewed. In addition, an exhaustive review is completed of adolescent self-initiated tobacco use cessation, involving 17 prospective survey studies.

Average reach and retention across the intervention studies was 61% and 78%, respectively, and was higher when whole natural units were treated (e.g., classrooms), than when units created specifically for the program were treated (e.g., school-based clinics). The mean quit-rate at a three to 12-month average follow-up among the program conditions was 12%, compared to approximately 7% across control groups. A comparison of intervention theories revealed that motivation enhancement (19%) and contingency-based reinforcement (16%) programs showed higher quit-rates than the overall intervention cessation mean. Regarding modalities (channels) of change, classroom-based programs showed the highest quit rates (17%). Computer-based (expert system) programs also showed promise (13% quit-rate), as did school-based clinics (12%).

Tobacco Induced Diseases | Full text | Effects of sixty six adolescent tobacco use cessation trials and seventeen prospective studies of self-initiated quitting

My thinking is that they haven't been smoking for as many years, so quitting should be easier. Then again, I don't believe any of the above programs provided any type of medical intervention (e.g., NRT).

BTW: Just about all these programs are funded by tobacco tax dollars. Are we getting our money's worth?

 

[VaporMadness]

I haven't read the article, but i know when i was younger i wasn't as motivated to not smoke as i am now.

 

[CapableVapable]

I haven't read the article, but i know when i was younger i wasn't as motivated to not smoke as i am now.

Very true. Citing health effects is a very poor way to get through to teens, as most of them think they are immortal, or are at least so far away from potential death that they may as well be.

 

[Stubby]

Of course the problem with these types of studies is they fail to acknowledge that some people just like tobacco and in fact function better with it. It's an abstinence only approach. If the studies are based on a false premise that abstinence is the best and only goal then intervention programs are guaranteed to fail.

How about if we simply start telling the truth about the relative harm of different tobacco/nicotine products and let people decide for themselves what's best. Perhaps that's asking to much from the anti-tobacco zealots.

 

[classwife]

Deciding for ourselves....telling the truth ????.....sigh....if only in this life !

Tho it is sad to see that any program set for for kids does not work......I agree with VM...I just don't think they are really motivated, and with CV...the concept of mortality isn't there.

All alternatives need to be out on the table.....