1,2,3…Tobacco Free is a community outreach program developed and administered under the auspices of the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) Foundation. Developer and clinical advisor of the program is Kevin S. Ferentz, M.D., Associate Professor and Family Practice Residency Director, University of Maryland Department of Family Medicine.
The 1,2,3…Tobacco Free program is aimed at combating teen smoking through tobacco education in Maryland high schools. Cigarette smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in the United States and, alarmingly, cigarette smoking among high school students has dramatically increased over the last decade.
The goals of 1,2,3…Tobacco Free are:
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Decreasing the prevalence of adolescent smoking in the secondary school setting.
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Providing/fostering a non-punitive environment for students to participate in a behavior modification program.
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Developing a socially acceptable, smoke-free standard throughout the school community.
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Partnering with other entities having a similar mission.
1,2,3…Tobacco Free delivers tobacco education through the use of various mediums. It is a three-prong program that includes: peer mentoring, targeted at younger students who have not formed an addiction to nicotine; an 8-week cessation program which includes “rap” sessions with high-tech, multi media tools for students who currently smoke and want to stop; and, planned events at the high school aimed at modifying school culture so that it is socially unacceptable to smoke within the school, thereby neutralizing the influence of peer pressure over time.
Following the completion of each program segment, there is a wrap up meeting with all mentors, group leaders, school administrator and the educational support team.
The benefits of the program may be evaluated by:
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School wide needs assessment
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Follow-up with previous program participants
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Decreased problems associated with tobacco use in and around the school (e.g. disciplinary actions, littering, bathroom patrol and vandalism).
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Positive feedback from parents and community members.
Relationship of the 123…Tobacco Free Program to the Mission of the Foundation:
The mission of the MAFP Foundation is to Promote Optimal Health for the Citizens of Maryland Through Education and Research Initiatives in Family Medicine. 1,2,3…Tobacco Free helps us to achieve this mission. The family practice residents and medical students who participate in the 123…Tobacco Free program are given a unique opportunity to provide specialized instruction in smoking cessation. The knowledge and skills they acquire by conducting a smoking cessation program may be later utilized in their medical practices in helping to facilitate any patient group where behavior modification is indicated (i.e. smoking cessation, weight loss, diabetes management, etc).
Additionally, the participating students at each high school not only learn about the devastating effects of tobacco use, but also are able to interact and “connect” with family practice medical students, individuals who are generally close in age to the high school students and may be regarded as their peers. These positive role models introduce the students to health care career options that they may later elect to pursue.
1,2,3…Tobacco Free is a dynamic program which offers the opportunity for health care providers, school personnel educators and community members to join together to address the issue of youth smoking and youth access/acceptance of smoking.
If you are interested in organizing a 123...Tobacco Free program in your school or becoming a volunteer presenter, please contact the MAFP office.