The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned

Background Bullshit Free Generation (BFG) is a tobacco prevention program in Flanders that aims to prevent students from starting to smoke by challenging the school, the teachers and the students to work on tobacco prevention throughout the students’ educational career (age 12–18 years). Objective...

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Main Author: Eline De Decker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Publishing 2020-10-01
Series:Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
Online Access:https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/The-implementation-of-a-school-based-tobacco-prevention-program-Lessons-learned,128411,0,2.html
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author_sort Eline De Decker
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description Background Bullshit Free Generation (BFG) is a tobacco prevention program in Flanders that aims to prevent students from starting to smoke by challenging the school, the teachers and the students to work on tobacco prevention throughout the students’ educational career (age 12–18 years). Objective To evaluate the implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program known as BFG. Methods In 29 schools, a pilot with a mix-method-design was conducted to evaluate the implementation of this program. An online pre-post survey was filled in by the school director and post surveys by the teaching staff and students. Focus group interviews were conducted in a selection of the pilot schools. Results In all, 25 of 29 pilot schools implemented BFG. The main reason for a school not implementing the program was poor support from the board. The support of the school staff is an important facilitator. A total of 10373 students participated in the program. Tobacco prevention was implemented in more than 30 different subjects. A total of 804 hours were spent teaching about tobacco. Good practices from other teachers are the main reason for teachers to talk about tobacco. Teachers and students are enthusiastic about the project. Students described the project as interesting, important, fun … with an average satisfaction score of 70%. The score was lower when the student smoked. Of the schools, 80% have the intention to do this program again next year. The main reasons for future participation of schools are their interest in raising awareness about tobacco, the positive attitude towards the project, and the success with the students. Conclusion The interest of the school in raising awareness about tobacco, the overall experience with the project and the feedback from students are critical components in the implementation of BFG. Barriers for the implementation are the lack of support from the school board and teachers.
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spelling doaj.art-3f27a51e45954f748cd237170b8a809d2024-01-31T10:31:15ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Prevention and Cessation2459-30872020-10-016Supplement10.18332/tpc/128411128411The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learnedEline De Decker0Flemish Institute Healthy Living, Brussels, BelgiumBackground Bullshit Free Generation (BFG) is a tobacco prevention program in Flanders that aims to prevent students from starting to smoke by challenging the school, the teachers and the students to work on tobacco prevention throughout the students’ educational career (age 12–18 years). Objective To evaluate the implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program known as BFG. Methods In 29 schools, a pilot with a mix-method-design was conducted to evaluate the implementation of this program. An online pre-post survey was filled in by the school director and post surveys by the teaching staff and students. Focus group interviews were conducted in a selection of the pilot schools. Results In all, 25 of 29 pilot schools implemented BFG. The main reason for a school not implementing the program was poor support from the board. The support of the school staff is an important facilitator. A total of 10373 students participated in the program. Tobacco prevention was implemented in more than 30 different subjects. A total of 804 hours were spent teaching about tobacco. Good practices from other teachers are the main reason for teachers to talk about tobacco. Teachers and students are enthusiastic about the project. Students described the project as interesting, important, fun … with an average satisfaction score of 70%. The score was lower when the student smoked. Of the schools, 80% have the intention to do this program again next year. The main reasons for future participation of schools are their interest in raising awareness about tobacco, the positive attitude towards the project, and the success with the students. Conclusion The interest of the school in raising awareness about tobacco, the overall experience with the project and the feedback from students are critical components in the implementation of BFG. Barriers for the implementation are the lack of support from the school board and teachers.https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/The-implementation-of-a-school-based-tobacco-prevention-program-Lessons-learned,128411,0,2.html
spellingShingle Eline De Decker
The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
title The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
title_full The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
title_fullStr The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
title_full_unstemmed The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
title_short The implementation of a school-based tobacco prevention program: Lessons learned
title_sort implementation of a school based tobacco prevention program lessons learned
url https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/The-implementation-of-a-school-based-tobacco-prevention-program-Lessons-learned,128411,0,2.html
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