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| Alexandre V. Prokhorov, M.D., Ph.D., project director, ASPIRE, professor, Department of Behavioral Science, M. D. Anderson |
As physicians, we can play a valuable role in preventing teen smoking. Trusted health professionals have a unique opportunity to counsel their young patients about the dangers of tobacco. But as you may have experienced first-hand, it can be difficult to discuss the health risks of smoking in a way that captures the attention of teens. That’s why M. D. Anderson created ASPIRE, an interactive Web site that uses animation, real-life scenarios, and teen talk to communicate the dangers of smoking.
ASPIRE (“A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience”) is a free, in-depth resource that you can use to give teenagers the knowledge and skills they need to adopt a tobacco-free lifestyle. The Web site is easy to find—www.mdanderson. org/aspire—and it can be accessed by anyone. I encourage you not only to peruse the ASPIRE site yourself but also to recommend it to your teenage patients and their parents.
The Web site allows teens to choose their current situation—for example, whether they already smoke or are being tempted to smoke—and customizes a presentation based on that choice. Much of the content is streaming video (more than 5 hours in all), including clips from teens who have lost loved ones to smoking and others who apply some positive peer pressure against tobacco use. While clicking through the site, teens also learn facts about the short- and long-term consequences of smoking on their health, their appearance, the environment, and even their social life.
ASPIRE doesn’t take a dry, didactic approach. The site speaks to teens on their terms, and the information is built around scenarios to which they can relate, such as dating, stress, and sports. It also emphasizes that addiction is a form of dependence, appealing to teens’ desire to be independent and to make decisions on their own.
We know from experience that this self-paced, interactive method works. During initial testing of ASPIRE, students who used the site reported that they smoked fewer cigarettes, developed stronger aversions to smoking, and experienced less temptation to smoke. Health agencies in several states have adopted ASPIRE as part of their anti-smoking education efforts, and we are now rolling out the program to school districts nationwide.
Every day, nearly 4,000 youths under the age of 18 years start smoking; clearly, “Just say no” is not sufficient to keep teenagers from using tobacco. With ASPIRE, we can inspire them to make wiser choices.For more information on this topic or for questions about M. D. Anderson’s treatments, programs, or services, call askMDAnderson at (877) MDA-6789.
Other articles in OncoLog, May 2008 issue:
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