Evaluation of a tobacco prevention program for children: ToPIC

This intervention study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of teaching tobacco prevention in children using ToPIC, an interactive program. The program was presented in 2 or 3 class sessions to increase awareness of health risks related to tobacco use. Participants consisted of 201 students from the Boys and Girls Clubs in 5 rural counties of a southeastern state. A significant increase in knowledge from pretest to posttest was found; t(200) = -13.65, p < .0001. Children's responses to the effects of smoking correlated to the content material incorporated in ToPIC. Recommendations for program improvement are discussed.