October 28, 1999
Each day, nearly 5,000 adolescents (aged 11-17) smoke their first cigarette. That's more than two million annually, and approximately one-third of these young smokers will eventually die of smoking-related illnesses. Of adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to quit but are not able to do so. The American Lung Association's Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) gives schools and community groups a unique package for helping these teens quit.
- N-O-T was designed specifically for teens, using a gender-sensitive, 10-session curriculum that includes booster sessions. The sessions are facilitated in the schools and other community settings by teachers, school nurses, counselors and other staff and volunteers specially trained by the American Lung Association.
- N-O-T is designed as a voluntary, non-punitive program for teens. An Alternative-to-Suspension program is also included to address student violation of a school tobacco policy.
- Typically, groups are divided by gender and are led by a same-gender facilitator. This allows teens to discuss issues that relate specifically to males or females and to express their own feelings and experiences in a an accepting environment.
- N-O-T incorporates life management skills to help teens deal with stress, decision-making and peer and family relationships. It also addresses healthy lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol or illicit drug use as well as related health issues such as exercise and nutrition.
- N-O-T was developed by the American Lung Association in collaboration with West Virginia University. The program was evaluated during two pilot phases, which led to revisions tailored to suit the needs of schools. Evaluations are continuing around the country.
- Post-program evaluation shows a 21 percent quit rate among teens. Of those who continued to smoke, 76 percent reduced the number of cigarettes smoked during weekdays, and 71 percent reduced the number of cigarettes they smoked on weekends. These results were reported directly by the teens and were chemically validated.
- For schools, this curriculum provides a high quality program that fills an urgent need to help teens stop smoking. N-O-T also fills a health education curriculum niche, improves the quality of life in schools, and protects the health of non-smoking students and staff.
- N-O-T meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guidelines for School Health Program to Prevent Tobacco Use & Addiction.
For more information about N-O-T and other American Lung Association tobacco control programs, call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit the association on the Web (www.lungusa.org).
The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for 90 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the American Thoracic Society, we provide programs of education, community service, advocacy, and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by donations to Christmas Seals® and other voluntary contributions.
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