Susi Farnworth Head of Youth Services, QUIT ®

Quit Because is the youth service at QUIT ®, the charity that helps people quit smoking. We help young people of all ages make informed choices about tobacco use and provide support and advice to those who want to stop smoking. Quit Because has worked with more than one million young people between the ages of 8 and 18!

Our work Our approach Two examples from our programme - presentations and follow-up sessions: content; evidence; impact; challenges Q and A Scenario exercise

Prevention Cessation Resources Peer Led Approaches Training and Capacity Building

Informed Choice Fun Engaging Interactive Honest Non-judgmental

Click here to add text

Aim to educate young people about: effects of tobacco on health, including lung health; effects of tobacco on looks; addiction and the addictive nature of tobacco; the law in relation to smoking; financial cost of smoking; the tobacco industry; norms; ingredients in tobacco; passive smoking ethical and environmental issues associated with

Health risk information – changes attitudes and reduces intentions to smoke (Pechmann et al 2003) Anti Tobacco Industry – Truth Campaign (Niederdeppe) Social norms – encourage committed smokers to consider smoking behaviour and reinforces awareness of dangers in less committed smokers Passive smoking Ethical and environmental issues

Gender Girls – effects on looks stronger influence. Boys – effects on health – stronger influence. Age Older young people – adult approaches effective; make information less explicit; emphasise informed choice.

Young people’s knowledge increased as a result of the presentation: Based on the feedback from 300 year 8 pupils

Young people’s knowledge increased as a result of the presentation: Based on the feedback from 300 year 8 pupils

Need for discussion Tailoring to target audience Anxiety inducing Young people minimalise own risk Fear factor alone ineffective

Embedding Learning Enable young people to discuss and ask questions about smoking Provide skills to resist pressures to smoke Dispel myths about tobacco use Goal setting Can target those most at risk

Click here to add text

Refusal skills influence intention Self-efficacy Goal setting (intention)

Click here to add text