How to Use this Curriculum

The National Design Team wanted educational materials that could be taught by teens and adults. The team also wanted to be able to use these materials with groups outside of schools. Therefore, the activities and learning in these materials are experientially-based. They are hands-on and engaging.

The recommended age of participants for this curriculum is 8 to 12 years. This age range, however, is just a guideline. Some kids may be older but may function at a younger age level. Such children would be ideal participants.

Each chapter has a background that gives topic information and an idea of the scope of the problem related to tobacco, alcohol or drug use.

Throughout this curriculum national data is referenced about tobacco-use trends. These data, current when the curriculum was printed, probably will change within the next few years. Your local data and statistics are more powerful and relevant.

Possible local sources of information:

• Number of young people smoking is found in the State Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys. Contact your state health department for this information. National averages can be found in the Monitoring the Future Survey.
• Deaths from cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related illnesses can be found through your public health department.

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