The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The project is meant to motivate school children not to experience tobacco consumption, to help those who tried to smoke not to become smokers and to understand that smoking is not a healthy habit, to inform children about noxious effects of smoking.

Methods: 87 classes competed, coming from 7 schools from Timisoara and 2 schools from neighborhoods; 79 classes from urban environment and 8 classes from rural environment. Distribution, in every class, of a work notebook; parents and class masters were informed with a letter; there was a contract signed which specifies that they will not smoke during the competition. Monthly activities carried on with specific forms, in order to prevent tobacco consumption.

Results: 53 classes reached the end of competition, 45 classes from urban environment and 8 classes from rural environment. From the 34 classes which quitted only 5 have announced this and have signed the quit form. Amongst Romanian children smoking is an accepted behavior; 34 classes quitted the competition from the reason of smoking presence in their communities. The program had also impact on parents, they being interested in smoking cessation techniques. Amongst classes which quitted the competition one of the reason was lack of involving from the side of coordinating professor.