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 adolescents. The programme focused on the emotional aspects of smoking behaviour. Questionnaires were completed at four measurement points, one before and three following delivery of the programme. A research model was developed to investigate the relationships between intention and behaviour and other relevant variables such as social environment, personality characteristics, school type, treatment, smoking-related knowledge, and reasons-to-smoke. Stepwise logistic regression analyses indicated that friends' smoking behaviour had significant effects on the intention to smoke as well as on the smoking behaviour of adolescents. Parents' permission to smoke had significant effects on the smoking behaviour of adolescents, especially on starting to smoke. Adolescents who reduced their anxiety by eating or by taking medication were more likely to have a high intention to smoke, and were also more likely to smoke. Risk-taking behaviour was significantly related with intention to smoke. Students attending vocational and other academically lower-level schools were more likely to have a high intention to smoke. The programme 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 previous time predicted intention to smoke and smoking behaviour at later times of measurement, given that the time between the measurements did not exceed one year. Intention to smoke was the most important predictor for both starting to smoke (positive association) and quitting smoking (negative association). It is suggested that in future studies educational level should be given due consideration in the planning and timing of smoking prevention activities.