Effectiveness of NICoteeen Program to influence adolescent cigarette smoking behaviors

Abstract

The focus of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the NICoteen Program developed by Baby Think It Over Educational Products, Inc. The purpose of the program is to “explore the physical, mental and financial consequences of smoking” for adolescents. The researcher surveyed 278 students, grades six through nine, at two middle schools in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Differences between experimental and control groups on the post-program survey were analyzed using an Independent Samples T-test. The same test was also used to analyze the difference between pre-and post-program surveys for both groups. Crosstabulations and Independent samples T-tests were used to examine the relationships between demographics, behaviors, and attitudes for all students. No statistically significant differences were found between experimental and control groups participating in the study. Likewise, no statistically significant difference in attitude or behavior was found between participants pre- to post-program. Results of this study point to the role family patterns may play in determining smoking behavior and attitudes.