Background

In 2007, Kapiti College student, Mark Hammond, was the driving force behind the school's unique smokefree programme, which attracted significant media attention.

When Mark began to see an increase in students smoking, he decided to produce a smokefree strategy for his school. From this strategic plan, emerged the Anti Smoking Planning Action Workshop (ASPAW), quit smoking programme for Kapiti College students.

Planning

Mark spent approximately two months writing the smokefree strategy. He researched the issue by talking to the Cancer Society and Regional Public Health. Mark also consulted three fellow students who were smokers and talked to them in-depth about steps they might need to take to be able to quit.

The final strategy document included background research, a proposal based on ASPAW, publicity measures and the costs of implementing the plan. It also proposed changes to the smokefree element of the school's health curriculum, making it more in tune with young people's thinking. This included scrapping the videos that focused on the health problems associated with smoking, and instead educating students on the effects of smoking that young people are more likely to relate to, e.g. money, whānau/family, role modelling and a healthy, active lifestyle.

Mark included diagrams and illustrations to support his research and had the document professionally bound. He then met with the Principal, who was very impressed with the strategy and passed it onto the school's Board of Trustees. Mark was then given permission to implement the plan.

The plan included setting up a smokefree advisory group, erection of smokefree signage and implementation of the ASPAW programme to help Kapiti College students quit smoking.

Implementation

The first step was to set up a smokefree advisory group comprised entirely of students, who later became mentors for the ASPAW programme. The group's purpose was to support the development of the strategic plan and run the ASPAW course.

The smokefree advisory group ensured smokefree signs were erected at the front and rear gates of the school. Mark and two other students wrote the booklet for the ASPAW course, which was produced using the school health budget. The only costs involved were photocopying.

The course itself involved three sessions, conducted over two weeks. Session one educated students on the effects of smoking in terms of what was important to young people, e.g. money, addiction and appearance (acne etc). Session two covered the side-effects of quitting, triggers to smoking and a coping strategy, and students planned their quit date. The final session always took place on the student's quit date. Mentors would talk with them about how they were feeling, their worries, concerns etc.

Students were allowed to refer themselves to the course, or were referred by teachers if they were found smoking at school. Students had the choice of after-school detention, or enrolling in ASPAW which took place during school hours. Almost every student chose to take the course.

ASPAW was promoted through staff meetings, assemblies, information cards and simple posters which were designed on school computers and photocopied.

Evaluation

Evaluation of the Programme by Quigley and Watts, Public Health Specialists

More information

News article: Education Today, 31 October 2008

Several documents are available by contacting Mark Hammond directly. These include: the Kapiti College Smokefree Strategic Plan and the My ASPAW Guide to Quit Smoking.