CONTROL INTERVENTION
We tested the new smoking advocacy intervention against an
existing substance abuse prevention intervention that was not
specific to tobacco. The control intervention was a modified
version of Toward No Drug Abuse, a curriculum developed for
continuation high school students.23,24 The curriculum focuses
on health motivation, social skills, and decision making
regarding drug and alcohol use. Sessions covered topics such
as types of illegal substances and their physiological properties,
and the effects on health, family, and community. Videotapes,
audiotapes, role-playing, open discussions, and outside
speakers (eg, drug rehabilitation counselors or former drug users)
reinforced the material.
DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected via a survey administered at 3 time points:
baseline, after the intervention (at the end of the semester), and
at a 6-month follow-up assessment (6 months after the end of
the semester). Questions were developed for a fifth grade or
lower reading level and were administered by support staff who
were not affiliated with teaching the curriculum. Baseline and
postintervention surveys were administered during class time;
the 6-month follow-up survey was administered by telephone
because most students either had graduated or were no longer
in school. At the post intervention and 6-month follow-up assessments
students were given $10 gift certificates to music stores
or coffee shops as incentives for completing the survey. The
survey collected information about the student’s demographic
background, tobacco use, and level of involvement in community
advocacy and asked about 3 constructs related to the social
cognitive theory (defined below).