Published: October 05, 2008 12:14 am         

Helping to stop smoking

Program designed for teens who want to stop smoking

MARTINSBURG — On Sept. 23, educators from across the Eastern Panhandle met in Martinsburg to take part in the American Lung’s N-O-T Program.

N-O-T, Not on Tobacco, is a state-of-the part program specifically designed for teenagers who want to stop smoking. Taking part in the cession training was Mary Ann Robinson, Capon Bridge Middle and Rowanne Shockey, Hampshire High School.

The American Lung Association, in collaboration with researchers at West Virginia University, developed N-O-T. NOT is a cession program that schools can use as an option for students who face suspension for violating a school’s tobacco policy.

Currently, 3,000 young people begin smoking every day and 1,000 of them will eventually die of smoking-related diseases. West Virginia is a leader in tobacco statistics. One in five West Virginians die from tobacco related illnesses every year.

In West Virginia, 42 percent of the high school population smokes compared to 35 percent nationally. The average age of a new smoker in West Virginia is 12 compared to 14 on an average nationally. Ninety percent of all new smokers are hooked by the age of 19. Smoking is recognized by the Center for Disease Control as a pediatric disease.

N-O-T is a series of lessons about the evils of tobacco. It offers specific help with tough problems like nicotine withdrawal and how to manage its symptoms to prevent relapses.

The program is gender-sensitive, since females have different reasons for smoking, quitting, and relapsing than males. The core curriculum consists of ten sessions and four follow-up or “booster” sessions to reinforce what the group has learned and achieved.

The program does not “teach at” the students. It draws them in as active participants through small group discussions, hands-on activities, journal writing, and drawing. If you know of a student that is interested in quitting tobacco use, either smoking or smokeless, contact either school.

According to one building administrator, “We need to offer programs like N-O-T and be more proactive about helping kids. Let’s not wait until they get caught smoking.”

For more information on the N-O-T program, contact Tony Richards at the American Lung Association at 1(800) LUNG-USA or Donna Kuhn, (304) 257-2641, RESA VIII tobacco specialist.