The New York Times reported March 22 that researchers reviewed school-based, randomized controlled studies on eight school smoking-prevention programs and concluded that while one reported short-term benefits, researchers found little or no evidence of long-term effectiveness.

Lead researcher Sarah Wiehe, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, said higher prices, not prevention, deserve the credit for recent declines in youth smoking. "It has been shown over and over that kids are especially sensitive to tax increases," she said, adding that students would be better served if schools "could focus more on media literacy showing how the tobacco industry targets prospective clients, and how to be more aware of their propaganda."

The research was published in the March issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Wiehe, S., et al. (2005) A systematic review of school-based smoking prevention trials with long-term follow-up. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36(3): 162-169.

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