Effects of the Brabant Smoking Prevention Programme: A replication of the Wisconsin Programme

A three-lesson smoking prevention programme which was originally developed in the United States, was applied in a study of 949 12-14-year old Dutch ad olescents. The programme focused on the emotional aspects of smoking behavi our. Questionnaires were completed at four measurement points, one before a nd three following delivery of the programme. A research model was develope d to investigate the relationships between intention and behaviour and othe r relevant variables such as social environment, personality characteristic s, school type, treatment, smoking-related knowledge, and reasons-to-smoke. Stepwise logistic regression analyses indicated that friends' smoking beha viour had significant effects on the intention to smoke as well as on the s moking behaviour of adolescents. Parents' permission to smoke had significa nt effects on the smoking behaviour of adolescents, especially on starting to smoke. Adolescents who reduced their anxiety by eating or by taking medi cation were more likely to have a high intention to smoke, and were also mo re likely to smoke. Risk-taking behaviour was significantly related with in tention to smoke. Students attending vocational and other academically lowe r-level schools were more likely to have a high intention to smoke. The pro gramme had neither a significant effect (p>0.01) on intention to smoke nor on smoking behaviour. Results indicated that intention to smoke and smoking behaviour at a previo us time predicted intention to smoke and smoking behaviour at later times o f measurement, given that the time between the measurements did not exceed one year. Intention to smoke was the most important predictor for both star ting to smoke (positive association) and quitting smoking (negative associa tion). It is suggested that in future studies educational level should be given du e consideration in the planning and timing of smoking prevention activities .