HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR SMOKING PREVENTION BY THE EDUCATION AGAINST TOBACCO NETWORK: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

This experience report describes active participation in a health education program dedicated to preventing the onset of smoking. The main aim of the action was to raise awareness among the community, young people and adolescents about the risks associated with tobacco and promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Since smoking represents one of the biggest challenges in public health around the world. The activities were developed based on the theoretical framework proposed by the international EAT program. The program was developed in terms of teaching, research and extension, with discussions on the topic and interventionist actions with teenagers. The itinerary included explanatory activities through the media with exposure to tobacco products, harm and effects on the body, presentation of anatomical parts of healthy lungs and smoker's lungs, and dynamics conducted with the help of the Smokerface application. This experience report of the interventions carried out in the EAT project for prevention and health promotion included 160 students aged 12 to 17 years old from two public schools and one private school between March 2022 and March 2023 in accordance with a pre- established by Rede EAT lasting 90 minutes and taught by 2 medical students per room. Studies show that a teenager who quits smoking or quit not started yet using tobacco symbolizes an adult with a better quality of life, more work performance, and fewer costs for the public and private health system. Therefore, it is important to highlight the importance of raising awareness of the harm of tobacco among individuals who have not yet started using it so that they can have more knowledge to make decisions.