title: [Evaluation of a schoolbased intervention to promote smokefree areas].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of an intervention in secondary schools on visible tobacco use, the prevalence and intensity of smoking, and the attitudes and behaviors of teachers and students.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a quasiexperimental study in 18 public secondary schools that carried out the program and in 18 that did not (control group). Information was obtained on visible tobacco use and the number of ashtrays and smokefree posters through direct observation. Data were collected on tobacco use, the number of heavy smokers, smoking in schools, opinions on smokefree schools, smoking in front of the students, and attempts to quit smoking through questionnaires to teachers and students in the third year of compulsory secondary education (15-year-olds) and in the final year of secondary school (18-year-olds).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visible tobacco use was lower in the intervention group (27.9 vs. 45.6%) and twice as many posters were displayed. No differences were found in the prevalence of daily tobacco use, but the percentage of heavy smokers was lower in teachers and students in the intervention group. Smoking was lower in students in the third year of compulsory secondary education in schools carrying out the program. Opinions about smokefree schools were favorable in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program contributed to reducing visible tobacco use and in decreasing the number of heavy smokers among teachers and students.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Promoción de la Salud, Consejería de Salud y Servicios Sanitarios de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, España. josegv@princast.es
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Vázquez
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arbesú Fernández
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Vigil
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alvarez Iglesias
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fernández Rodríguez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mosquera Tenreiro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012574:Schools; D000074606:Smoking Prevention