Adolescent Smoking Cessation
The Adolescent Smoking Cessation project is co-ordinated by Health Promotion Division, Welsh Assembly Government. Funding for the project is provided by the European Commission and individual countries.
BackgroundSmoking cessation is an effective and cost effective intervention (WHO 2001). Literature reviews from Wales and Holland have highlighted the potential to tackle adolescent smoking. In Wales and Holland, the reviews indicated that evaluation of projects have been positive with regard to cessation results, quit attempts and other related outcomes such as personal and social development for the young people concerned. Both the literature reviews and the results of projects conclude that adolescent smoking cessation groups targeted at 12-20 year olds can demonstrate successful outcomes in a number of settings; schools, colleges, and youth clubs/centres, and may have potential in more alternative settings. Other countries in Europe including, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Cyprus, and Latvia have data indicating that young people want to quit smoking and have noted that smoking prevention programmes are limited in this respect. They are keen to incorporate the evaluated experiences from across the EU to date and ensure that adolescent smoking cessation is part of their multifaceted approach to smoking.
Aims of the project· Review and disseminate findings from Literature Reviews
in Holland and Wales. (Welsh review available at www.
cmo.wales.gov.uk)
· Review and disseminate good practice from evaluated
projects in Holland and Wales in relation to adolescent smoking
cessation in a range of settings across the EU
· Identify the needs of each participating country and agree
their objectives, methodology and evaluation processes with the
assistance of the external evaluator) for adolescent smoking
cessation
· Implement a pilot adolescent cessation programme in
countries
· Evaluate and report on key findings and make
recommendations for future adolescent cessation activity.
· Build on 2004 EC Adolescent Smoking Cessation project to
involve more countries in projects and as observers (10 partners, 6
observers in 2004 there were 8 partners and 3 observers);
· Implement European adolescent cessation programme in 10
countries;
Implementation
The Adolescent Smoking Cessation project is co-ordinated by Health Promotion Division, Welsh Assembly Government. An initial conference held in Cardiff in May 2004 was attended by the majority of partners and observers, the external evaluation team and several of those who form part of the second year application. The conference provided the opportunity to learn about the findings from the literature reviews and to share ideas and information. Each country received assistance to agree the objectives, methodology and evaluation processes for their own projects. A second conference was held in December 2004 after each country had implemented a pilot Adolescent Smoking Cessation project. The implementation work is continuing in countries and a final conference is planned for the end of 2005 to report on key findings. It is intended that final recommendations for the future of adolescent smoking cessation activity will be produced after the conference.
Further information from the project co-ordinators at the Welsh Assembly Government - Sue Bowker, Cathy Weatherup or Emma Barton via email Sue.Bowker@wales.gsi.gov.uk or Cathy.Weatherup@wales.gsi.gov.uk or Emma.Barton@wales,gsi.gov.uk