The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: : To identify adolescents willing to quit;to provide smoking cessation;to build a healthy environment in schools.

Methods: Target group: adolescents 15-20 years age group; Smoking status of adolescents was assessed by questionnaires and carbon monoxide's determination in the exhaled air;

Project's design: poster to advertise the program in schools, leaflets, CD, trained young volunteers to deliver courses content, interactive sessions, festive sessions, prizes;

Results: We enrolled 231 adolescents,(42.8% males), predominant age group 17 years old (46.3%), 54,1% being every day smokers,10% former smokers, 10%less than once a week smokers and 5% not every day smokers. Mean age of starting smoking was 13.4 yrs. Rate of courses participation differed from 100% at course 1 to 59.3% at course 6. Immediate outcomes: 48 tried to stop at least once during the program ,20 reducers, 19 quitters(Validation was done by measuring CO in exhaled air) 6 months evaluation revealed 10 adolescents still quitters and 4 reducers. Other positive outcomes : increasing in tobacco use related knowledge, increasing self-esteem, they enjoyed, had fun and positive comments, experienced something very different from regular school classes; Conclusions: First Romanian comprehensive approach initiative for adolescents, putting together smokers, former smokers and nonsmokers, using young volunteers and interactive courses provided satisfactory compliance and positive outcomes in a smoking cessation program targeting adolescents.