TY - JOUR T1 - Changes in the perception and attitude toward tobacco use among elementary students in Texas following an intervention JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P1081 AU - Sean Hesselbacher AU - Sara Surani AU - Amina Khimani AU - Salim Surani Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1081.abstract N2 - Introduction: The majority of tobacco users begin before the age of 18. A preventative intervention targeted at elementary school children has been previously reported (Surani S. et al. Int J Pediatr. 2011; 584589), though the changes attributable to the intervention are not known.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the intervention on the perception and knowledge of, and attitudes toward, tobacco use.Methods: After permission from the school districts, children from second and third grade underwent an educational program. The “AntE tobacco” program, a 13-minute educational cartoon video depicting the ill effects of smoking by a colony of ants, was presented to the students. A 17-point questionnaire assessing 4 categories related to tobacco use (perceptions of the smoking prototype, behavioral willingness to smoke, attitudes toward use, and knowledge about risks) was administered before and after the intervention.Results: Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were completed by 447 students. Following the intervention, children who smoked were felt to be significantly less popular and cool, and more boring than before the intervention. However, children were more likely to agree that smoking makes them look cool, have more friends, and look more grown-up following the intervention. There was little to no change in responses in behavioral willingness to smoke or knowledge of tobacco use risks.Conclusions: The effects of the intervention were contradictory on the perception and attitudes toward tobacco use among elementary students. Other interventions may be needed to address willingness to use tobacco and knowledge of the risks. ER -