Targeting early antecedents to prevent tobacco smoking: findings from an epidemiologically based randomized field trial.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether interventions aimed at aggressive/disruptive classroom behavior and poor academic achievement would reduce the incidence of initiation of smoking.


METHODS
An epidemiologically based, universal randomized preventive trial involved 2311 children in 2 classroom-based preventive interventions or controls. Each intervention was directed at 1 of the aforementioned 2 antecedents over first and second grades in 19 urban schools.


RESULTS
Smoking initiation was reduced in both cohorts for boys assigned to the behavioral intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Targeting early risk antecedents such as aggressive behavior appears to be an important smoking prevention strategy.
Department of Mental Hygiene, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. 21224, USA.
S G
SG
Kellam
J C
JC
Anthony
D000293:Adolescent; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016019:Survival Analysis