Maria Rosaria Galanti1, Alessandro Coppo2, Elin Jonsson3, Sven Bremberg3, Fabrizio Faggiano2. 1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Health Care District, Stockholm, Sweden. 2. Department of Translational Medicine, Avogadro University, Novara, Italy. 3. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To summarise the evidence on effectiveness of school anti-tobacco policies (exposure) in preventing tobacco use (outcome) among high school students. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted between 1 September and 30 November 2011 on six electronic databases with keywords: 'policy', 'ban', 'restriction' and 'environment' in combination with 'adolescent' or 'student', 'school' and 'smoking' in titles, abstracts or keywords. Restrictions were made to articles published in English. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they targeted the relevant grades/age; reported at least one outcome measure of students' ever or current tobacco use; reported on the effects of exposure to policy separately from other interventions. Inclusion criteria were assessed independently by two of the coauthors. Of 2723 articles initially identified, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria (1.1%). DATA EXTRACTION: Independent multiple observers extracted the data following the GRADE system guidelines to classify the level of evidence in relation to the review objective. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies were very heterogeneous in the definitions of exposure to school anti-tobacco policy and of tobacco use, adjustment for potential confounders and reporting of results, therefore summary quantitative measures of effect were not calculated. Qualitative summary statements were derived by reviewing the results reported in text and tables for distinct policy constructs. Evidence could be classified as low or very low, resting on cross-sectional studies with high risk of bias. Studies were rather consistent in indicating that comprehensive smoking bans, clear rules, strict policy enforcement, availability of education and prevention were associated with decreased smoking prevalence. Formally adopted and written policies, surveillance of students' behaviour and presence/severity of sanctions were not consistently associated to students' tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence concerning the effectiveness of a school policy alone in preventing youth tobacco use is weak and inconclusive. Experimental studies or observational studies with longitudinal design are warranted, employing clear definitions of policy components and careful control for confounding. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVE: To summarise the evidence on effectiveness of school anti-tobacco policies (exposure) in preventing tobacco use (outcome) among high school students. DATA SOURCES: The search was conducted between 1 September and 30 November 2011 on six electronic databases with keywords: 'policy', 'ban', 'restriction' and 'environment' in combination with 'adolescent' or 'student', 'school' and 'smoking' in titles, abstracts or keywords. Restrictions were made to articles published in English. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they targeted the relevant grades/age; reported at least one outcome measure of students' ever or current tobacco use; reported on the effects of exposure to policy separately from other interventions. Inclusion criteria were assessed independently by two of the coauthors. Of 2723 articles initially identified, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria (1.1%). DATA EXTRACTION: Independent multiple observers extracted the data following the GRADE system guidelines to classify the level of evidence in relation to the review objective. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies were very heterogeneous in the definitions of exposure to school anti-tobacco policy and of tobacco use, adjustment for potential confounders and reporting of results, therefore summary quantitative measures of effect were not calculated. Qualitative summary statements were derived by reviewing the results reported in text and tables for distinct policy constructs. Evidence could be classified as low or very low, resting on cross-sectional studies with high risk of bias. Studies were rather consistent in indicating that comprehensive smoking bans, clear rules, strict policy enforcement, availability of education and prevention were associated with decreased smoking prevalence. Formally adopted and written policies, surveillance of students' behaviour and presence/severity of sanctions were not consistently associated to students' tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence concerning the effectiveness of a school policy alone in preventing youth tobacco use is weak and inconclusive. Experimental studies or observational studies with longitudinal design are warranted, employing clear definitions of policy components and careful control for confounding. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
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