Kingdom of Saudi Arabia King Saud bin Abdulaziz university for health and sciences

College of Nursing
Community Health Nursing and Health Education (BNUR 416)
Written Assignment

Healthy Youth… A Smoke-Free Future

Submitted by:

Student’s ID Student's Name

Alhanouf Abdullah Alqahtani 421220512

Yara Ahmed Aljahdali 421220647
Razan Zuhair Raffah 421220546
Rahaf aljohani 431220569
Jana Alghamdi 431220538
Renad Fayez Alqurayqiri 431220580
Rahaf Abdulaziz Alsaady 431220568
Razan Hamed Alsulami 421220545
Rahaf Ahmed 411220557
Ameerh Essam Alakhdhar 431220514
Dina Alhazmi 431220552

Name of Supervisor:
Dr. Jamilah

Objectives:

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1. To raise awareness among teenagers about the harmful health, psychological,

and social effects of smoking.

2. To encourage positive behavior, change by promoting a healthy and smoke-free

lifestyle through education and role modeling.

3. To reduce smoking initiation rates among adolescents by providing accurate

information and strong refusal skills.

4. To engage parents, schools, and communities in supporting youth-focused anti-

smoking initiatives.

5. To empower teenagers to become advocates and peer educators who promote

smoke-free environments within their schools and communities.

6. To reduce smoking among teenagers by increasing awareness, promoting

healthy lifestyle choices, and providing education, counseling, and community

support that empower youth to live smoke-free lives.

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 Introduction:

Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of disease and premature

death worldwide, yet many teenagers continue to experiment with it at an early

age. Adolescence is a critical developmental stage in which young people are

highly influenced by social factors such as peer pressure, stress, and media

exposure. Unfortunately, these influences often lead to smoking initiation, resulting

in long-term nicotine dependence and severe health outcomes including lung

cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic respiratory disorders.

The campaign “Healthy Youth… A Smoke-Free Future” was developed to

address this concern by increasing teenagers’ awareness of smoking hazards and

promoting informed, healthy lifestyle decisions. It focuses on education,

prevention, and empowerment—helping adolescents recognize the risks, resist

social pressure, and adopt behaviors that support long-term well-being.

Project/Campaign Goal:

The primary goal of this campaign is to prevent the initiation of smoking among

teenagers and encourage a sustained commitment to a smoke-free life.

To achieve this goal, the campaign will:

Deliver educational programs that highlight the physical and social harms of

smoking.

Dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding tobacco use.

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 Strengthen teenagers’ confidence and decision-making skills to resist peer

influence.

Foster collaboration between schools, parents, and community organizations to

create supportive, smoke-free environments.

Ultimately, this initiative seeks to nurture a generation of informed and

empowered youth who value their health and actively contribute to a tobacco-

free society.

Rationale / Importance of the Project:

Smoking among teenagers is a serious and growing public health concern.

Adolescence is a critical developmental period when young people are more

vulnerable to peer pressure, media influence, and experimentation. Starting to smoke

at an early age increases the likelihood of long-term nicotine addiction and raises the

risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory

disorders.

According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) – Saudi Arabia 2022, about

8.8% of students aged 13–15 years reported current tobacco use, with 10.0% of

males and 7.5% of females being users (Al-Zalabani et al., 2024). Among them, 2.8%

smoked cigarettes, 2.8% used waterpipes (shisha), 1.6% used heated tobacco

products, and 3.0% used electronic cigarettes (Al-Zalabani et al., 2024; WHO, 2022).

Furthermore, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that in Saudi

Arabia, approximately 7.0% of boys and 3.1% of girls aged 10–14 years are current

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smokers (The Tobacco Atlas, 2022). These statistics highlight the urgent need for

preventive strategies targeting youth before the habit becomes established.

This project is therefore essential in raising awareness among teenagers about the

dangers of smoking, empowering them with knowledge and skills to resist social

pressure, and promoting a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle. Preventive education at this

age group can significantly reduce the national health burden of tobacco-related

diseases in the future.

Target Group and Eligibility Criteria:

The target group for this community health project comprises teenagers aged

13–19 years, enrolled in middle and high schools within the community. Adolescence

is a critical developmental stage where individuals are most susceptible to peer

influence, social pressure, and media exposure all major factors contributing to

smoking initiation (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). According to the Saudi

Ministry of Health (2022), the prevalence of tobacco use among Saudi adolescents

remains a growing public health concern, with early initiation significantly increasing

the risk of long-term nicotine dependence and chronic diseases. Therefore, focusing

preventive education on this age group is both timely and essential.

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Eligibility for participation in this campaign will include:

1. Age Requirement: Participants must be between 13 and 19 years old.

2. School Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in local public or private schools

within the selected community or region.

3. Willingness to Participate: Participants must provide informed consent, and for

minors, parental/guardian consent will also be obtained.

4. Non-Discrimination Criteria: The program will be open to all students, regardless

of gender, nationality, or socioeconomic background, ensuring inclusivity and

equal opportunity for health education.

This age group was selected due to its vulnerability to external influences and the

long-term health benefits of early prevention. By engaging teenagers before or during

the early stages of experimentation, the campaign aims to foster a generation that

values healthy decision-making, critical thinking, and resilience against tobacco

industry marketing tactics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).

Activities and services provided

The “Healthy Youth… A Smoke-Free Future” campaign works to prevent teen smoking

and support those who want to quit through education, community involvement, and

emotional support.

1. Educational Workshops and School Programs:

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 Interactive sessions in schools explain the physical, mental, and social risks of

smoking and teach refusal skills. School-based education has been shown to

reduce adolescent tobacco use (WHO, 2024).

2. Social Media Awareness Campaign:

Short videos, testimonials, and positive messages are shared on Instagram,

TikTok, and YouTube, with help from influencers and teen ambassadors to reach

a wider audience (CDC, 2023).

3. Counseling and Support Services:

Free individual and group counseling uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to

help teens manage stress, avoid triggers, and quit successfully (U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, 2020).

4. Community and School Events:

Sports tournaments, art activities, and “Smoke-Free Youth Days” promote

healthy lifestyles and teamwork with involvement from families, teachers, and

health professionals.

5. Hotline and Online Support Platform:

A 24/7 confidential hotline and chat service provide advice, motivation, and

emotional support whenever teens feel pressure or temptation to smoke.

The Healthy School Program targets all students in elementary, intermediate, and

secondary school levels, aged between 6 and 18 years. It also includes the teaching,

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administrative, and cafeteria staff, as all members of the school community form an

integrated environment through which healthy concepts and behaviors can be

effectively promoted. The program aims to raise health awareness among students,

encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles that enhance physical fitness, improve

nutrition, and prevent chronic diseases in the future.

The eligibility criteria for students include being enrolled in participating schools,

obtaining parental consent to take part in health screenings and activities, and having

the physical and mental ability to benefit from the program’s initiatives. The program

also encourages the participation of all school staff members—teachers,

administrators, and technical workers—who are willing to cooperate and contribute to

health education efforts and the implementation of initiatives that promote a safe and

healthy school environment. This interaction between students and staff helps

reinforce positive behaviors and achieve the program’s goal of building a healthy,

aware generation capable of taking responsibility for their own health and the health

of their community.

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 Announcement procedure promotion plan:

 A. Educational Sessions:

Interactive lectures and multimedia presentations will be conducted

during school hours to explain the dangers of tobacco use, the impact of

nicotine on brain development, and ways to resist peer pressure.

 B. Interactive Learning Tools:

Kahoot Quizzes: Fun, competitive quizzes testing students’ knowledge of

tobacco risks.

Smoke-Free Wall: Students write personal pledges or reasons for staying

smoke-free.

Role-Play Exercises: Scenarios demonstrating how to say “no” to smoking

or vaping.

 C. Social Media Campaign:

A digital challenge under the hashtag #SmokeFreeYouthKSA will

encourage students to share creative posters, short videos, and messages

promoting smoke-free living.

 D. School Partnerships:

Teachers and counsellors will receive short training sessions and resource

materials to continue reinforcing the message throughout the school year.

 E. Community Engagement:

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 Invite local health professionals to deliver short talks and distribute

brochures about the health effects of smoking and available support for

quitting.

Evaluation Plan:

1. Pre- and Post-Surveys:

Assess changes in students’ knowledge about tobacco risks, attitudes toward

smoking, and intentions to smoke before and after educational sessions.

2. Participation Rates:

Track the number of schools, students, and classes attending educational

sessions, using interactive tools, and participating in activities.

3. Engagement Metrics:

Measure student interaction with Kahoot quizzes, Smoke-Free Wall pledges,

role-play exercises, and social media posts under #SmokeFreeYouthKSA.

4. Behavioral Outcomes:

Monitor changes in tobacco use or intentions to use tobacco among students 3–

6 months after campaign implementation.

5. Stakeholder Feedback:

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 Collect feedback from teachers, counselors, and youth leaders on the
effectiveness of training, resource materials, and overall campaign activities.

6. Knowledge Improvement:

Evaluate increased awareness of the dangers of tobacco, the impact of nicotine

on brain development, and strategies for resisting peer pressure.

7. Media Impact:

Assess the reach and visibility of the social media campaign, student-created
content, and community outreach efforts.

8. Sustainability:

Check whether schools continue integrating smoke-free activities, lessons, and

initiatives beyond the initial campaign period.

9. Overall Outcome:

Compare pre- and post-campaign data to determine the overall effect on

student knowledge, engagement, and adoption of smoke-free behaviors.

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 Evaluation of the Project

The effectiveness of the “Healthy Youth… A Smoke-Free Future” campaign will be evaluated using
validated tools designed for adolescent populations to ensure accurate measurement of changes in
knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward smoking (World Health Organization [WHO] & Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019).

Pre-Test and Post-Test Surveys

A validated questionnaire adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) developed by the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be used to
assess participants before and after the campaign.

• Purpose: To measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding smoking.

• Content Areas:

• Awareness of the health, social, and psychological effects of smoking.

• Perceived peer pressure and confidence in refusing cigarettes.

• Intentions to remain smoke-free.

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• Measurement Method:

• Scores will be compared between pre-test and post-test results.

• Effectiveness will be indicated by a minimum 30% increase in post-test scores on knowledge and positive
attitude scales.

Expected Outcomes

1. Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Smoking

The campaign aims to significantly boost teenagers’ understanding of the

health risks linked to smoking, including serious conditions like cancer and heart

disease. This shift in awareness will be assessed by evaluating teenagers’

knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking both before and after the

campaign (National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training [NCSCT], 2019).

2. Building Confidence in Rejecting Smoking

One of the key goals is to help teenagers feel more confident in saying

“no” to smoking. By doing so, the campaign will empower them to make

healthier choices when faced with peer pressure or societal influences.

3. Reducing the Number of Teenagers Trying Smoking

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 By providing vital information and increasing awareness, the campaign

intends to lower the percentage of teenagers who try smoking for the first time,

ultimately helping prevent future smoking habits.

4. Encouraging Healthy Habits and Peer Support

The campaign will promote positive, healthy behaviors among teenagers

and create a supportive environment where they can encourage each other to

make better choices, especially in their social circles (Hong Kong Council on

Smoking and Health, 2018).

5. Fostering a Smoke-Free, Health-Conscious Youth Culture in Schools

Aiming to establish a smoke-free, health-focused culture in schools, the

campaign will help create an atmosphere that supports both educational growth

and the well-being of students, leading to a healthier future for teenagers (Hong

Kong Council on Smoking and Health, 2018).

Reflection

Strengths of the project

The project “Healthy Youth… A Smoke-Free Future” aligns with the Saudi Ministry of Health’s National
Tobacco Control Program, focusing on prevention and health promotion consistent with community health
nursing principles (MOH, 2025). It adopts a youth-centered approach that empowers adolescents through
education and informed decision-making, in line with WHO recommendations (WHO, 2024). By promoting
community participation in schools, youth clubs, and social media, the project supports the MOH’s strategy
of using digital platforms and collaborations with nurses, teachers, and parents to build a smoke-free culture
(MOH, 2024).

Weaknesses of the project

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The project faces challenges in influencing teenagers who already smoke, as it mainly

targets prevention rather than cessation. The absence of structured follow-up tools

limits the evaluation of behavioral change. Additionally, resource limitations such as

funding and institutional support may affect the continuity of the campaign. Social

norms, peer pressure, and the normalization of smoking can also reduce the

program’s effectiveness (MOH, 2023). Incorporating family-based interventions and

stronger evaluation and follow-up methods could enhance its long-term impact (Al-

Zalabani et al., 2022).

Role of the Community Health Nurse

The community health nurse plays a vital role in the “Healthy Youth… A Smoke-

Free Future” campaign by raising awareness, educating adolescents, and coordinating

health initiatives.

As an educator, she delivers clear, age-appropriate information about the

dangers of smoking and equips students with skills to resist peer pressure.

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 The nurse also acts as a coordinator, working with teachers, parents, and local

health authorities to organize workshops and awareness programs.

As an advocate, she supports the creation of smoke-free school environments

and encourages healthy lifestyle choices among youth.

Finally, the nurse participates in the evaluation process, collecting feedback and

assessing the campaign’s impact to improve future health education initiatives.

Through these roles, the community health nurse helps build a healthier, more aware

generation and promotes a smoke-free future for all.

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