What are the Tobacco Prevention Program components?
• Comprehensive Tobacco-Free School Policies
• Linkages to cessation resources
• Family and community involvement (newsletters, presentations)
• Training in research-based curriculum
• Staff training and development
• Coordinated school health project
• Evaluation (Oregon Healthy Teens Survey)
Why do we need tobacco prevention in the schools?
Tobacco use is still in the nation the number one preventable cause of death. Currently in the state of Oregon:
• 48 kids smoke their first cigarette every day.
• A year later, 20 Oregon Children will still be smoking.
• Of those still smoking, one in three will die prematurely of a tobacco related illness.
Where does tobacco use begin?
• Approximately 80% of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18.
• Nicotine in tobacco is so addictive that, “if current patterns of smoking persist, 6.4 million people currently younger than 18 will die prematurely from a tobacco-related disease.”
According to the Oregon Healthy Teens Survey 2006 in Lane County, 9% of 8th graders and 13% of 11th graders reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days. 3% of 8th graders and 6% of 11th graders reported using chewing tobacco or dip in the past month.
Teens who smoke vs. nonsmokers is associated with the following risks:
• 3x more likely to use alcohol
• 8x more likely to use marijuana
• 22x more likely to use cocaine
The annual cost of tobacco use in Lane County:
• 636 People die from tobacco use.
• 12,431 People suffer serious illness.
• 55,363 Adults regularly smoke cigarettes or 21%.
• Over $100.3 million spent on medical care.
• Over $101.2 million in productivity is lost.
However, we have good news for youth!
• Eighth grade smoking is down 59% since 1996
• 11th grade smoking is down 46% since 1996
Source: Tobacco Prevention Education Program, DHS
