2 Smart 2 Smoke

Principal Investigator
Cheryl L. Perry, PhD, University of Minnesota

Funding
Allina Health System of Minnesota

Objective
This study evaluated the impact of a theatre production on smoking-related attitudes, norms, and intentions of children in grades 1–6 (aged 6–12).

Method
Seventeen schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area were randomly selected among 160 that were participating in the implementation of the theatre production 2 Smart 2 Smoke. Schools that participated in the theatre production after December 3, 1997, were assigned as control schools. Assignment of schools to a given date for the theatre production was a random process. The intervention consisted of two 30-minute plays (a K–3 production and a 4–6 production) with classroom activities and take-home materials. Students in grades 1–6 were surveyed before and after the theatre production and follow-up activities for the classroom and home. The data were examined for pretest-posttest differences and intervention-control differences. The school was the unit of analysis.

Results
10% more students reported that they would never smoke a cigarette after the theatre production. Students in grades 4–6 showed changes in the functional meanings and expected outcomes of smoking. Students in grades 1–3 showed changes in normative expectations.

Conclusions
Further research on the impact of live theatre productions as a smoking prevention strategy is recommended.

Materials
theatre productions and classroom and family educational materials available from the National Theatre for Children: http://www.nationaltheatre.com/

Publications
Perry CL, Komro KA, Dudovitz B, Veblen-Mortenson S, Jeddeloh R, Koele R, Gallanar I, Farbakhsh, K, Stigler MH. An evaluation of a theatre production to encourage non-smoking among elementary age children: 2 Smart 2 Smoke. Tobacco Control. 1999;8:169-174.