Smoking prevention among Romanian school students with hearing deficiencies from Romania

Introduction Development of smoking prevention programs for disadvantaged groups, including adolescents with sensorial deficiencies, represents an important challenge. The goal of this paper is to present the development of the first smoking prevention program for adolescents with hearing deficiencies aged 13-15 from Romania. Material and Methods A peer-led smoking prevention programme on video, with proved effects on smoking prevention among Romanian adolescents without sensoral deficiencies, was adapted for children with hearing disabilities, using specific language for people with hearing deficiencies. The program is under current implementation among Romanian pupils with hearing deficiencies from two big cities from North-West Romania. Results The programme uses the social influence approach and concentrates on enhancing self-efficacy and the acquisition of cigarette refusal skills. It consists of five lessons with the following structure a. introduction of the theme in a class on DVD, b. activities in small groups, peer-led, c. return to one group and continuation of the lesson on DVD, d. activities in small groups, peer-led, e. (sometimes) home activities.Regarding attitudes, the programme focuses on reasons why people do or do not smoke, effects of smoking, passive smoking, addiction and alternatives to smoking. Regarding social influences, it discusses direct pressure to smoke from peers, indirect pressure from adults and dvertisements. Self-efficacy is incorporated by demonstrating resistance skills and by their practice in various challenging situations. Conclusions The program developed easy to use educational materials, which might be used for smoking prevention among Romanian adolescents with hearing deficiencies from different areas of Romania.