THE RELATIVE EFECTIVENESS OF A PEER-LED AND ADULT-LED SMOKING INTERVENTION PROGRAM

This study compared a six-session peer-led smoking intervention progra m for high school-age youth to the same program led by adults. Ninety- three students participated in the study and were divided into peer-le d, adult-led, and control groups. Number of cigarettes smoked was asse ssed by self-report through pretest, posttest and one-month follow-up measures. Self-efficacy was measured post-and follow-up. Student feedb ack regarding the helpfulness of program components was also assessed. There was a significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked by students in both peer-led and adult-led groups when compared to th e control group (p = < .0001). Smoking reduction continued to take pla ce in both treatment groups at the one-month follow-up measure. Those students who were exposed to fewer smoking individuals in their daily lives were able to maintain a reduction in smoking when measured one m onth after completion of the program.