Stathopoulos Theodore
Objective: The aim of this study was the implementation and evaluation of a health education programme for the prevention of smoking in secondary education students. Design: The study was designed as semi-experimental with control group. Method:Evaluation of the intervention was performed prior to the implementation, immediately afterwards and six months later. The variables that were measured through a self-completed questionnaire were: knowledge - concerning the physical consequences of smoking, normative and informative social influence -, attitudes, intent to smoke and self-esteem. The intervention group was consisted of 88 students of three Vocational Schools, while the control group included 118 students of two Vocational Schools and one Lyceum in Athens. Results: An increase in total knowledge and the three sub-scores measuring normative, informative social influence and physical consequences of smoking as well as reduction of number of cigarettes per day(p=0,029) and increase in self-esteem was found (p=0,021). The intervention group showed higher knowledge (total and subscores) (U=3461, p
