BACKGROUND-AIM:
The Nicotine- and Tobacco-Free Schools (NTFS) project is a WHO-led initiative addressing early initiation of tobacco and nicotine use among adolescents in Ukraine. Schools are a critical setting for prevention, particularly for students aged 13–16, when experimentation typically begins. The project aims to sustain schools environments fully protected from tobacco and nicotine exposure by strengthening policies, increasing awareness of health risks (including novel products), countering industry influence, and building prevention capacity. It also demonstrates that evidence-based prevention is feasible even in a war-affected context.

METHODS:
The project applies a comprehensive whole-school approach combining policy adoption, interactive education, community engagement, and systematic monitoring. Key activities include training school focal points, implementing nicotine-free policies, delivering educational sessions for students, teachers and parents, and conducting school-based surveys aligned with GYTS indicators. Mixed methods (quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews) are used to assess knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and policy implementation.

RESULTS:
The project has reached over 8500 students and 3000 school staff. Findings show increased awareness of health risks, stronger support for school policies, and reduced experimentation with tobacco and nicotine products among participating students. Schools report improved policy enforcement, stronger engagement of staff and parents, and a more supportive health-promoting environment.

CONCLUSIONS:
The NTFS project demonstrates that a comprehensive, scalable, and evidence-based school prevention model can effectively reduce tobacco use among adolescents, even in crisis settings, and can be replicated in other regions and countries. Smoking prevention