Tobacco use prevention inschools: an analysis of education programs and their impactos

um estudo sobre programa educacionais e seus impactos

Authors

  • Matheus Belarmino Pereira Ferreira FACULDADES METROPOLITANAS UNIDAS
  • Claudia Machado Cruz FACULDADES METROPOLITANAS UNIDAS
  • Renato Gouveia Borgonove FMU

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Health at School Program (PSE) in preventing smoking among adolescents. A qualitative-exploratory design was used, including a systematic review of official documents, scientific articles, and national epidemiological data from 2017 to 2023. The implementation of the PSE was analyzed in ten public schools in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes (Rio de Janeiro), through anonymous questionnaires administered to students and a SWOT analysis. The results indicated a 22% reduction in the intention to start smoking and an 85% increase in adolescents' knowledge about the risks associated with tobacco use. Interventions that combined health education activities, playful strategies, and family involvement showed greater effectiveness. The main challenges identified included regional disparities in program implementation, with only 43% of schools conducting regular activities, and a rise in the experimentation with electronic cigarettes (16.8%) among students. It is concluded that the PSE proved effective in preventing youth smoking, with recommended actions including program coverage expansion, strategy updates to address electronic devices, and continuous training of the professionals involved.

Published

2026-06-23

Issue

Section

Artigo de Revisão