CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Prevention of tobacco use among students within the schools that promote health (SPS) Lombardia Model
1
Welfare Directorate, Lombardy Region – Health Promotion Unit, Milano, Italy
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A180
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
The school is a priority setting for health promotion because it reaches young people before harmful habits become established. In Lombardy, with ten million inhabitants, all school actions align with the Health‑Promoting Schools model, ensuring coherence between policies, including anti‑tobacco measures, and educational practices. Within this framework, programs build individual skills and shape supportive environments to prevent risky behaviors, featuring dedicated units on tobacco, for long term student well being and health.
METHODS:
The main regional programs for the school setting are: LifeSkills Training, aimed at primary and middle students, based on life skills development and the active involvement of teachers, who help create environments less conducive to tobacco use and other substances. Unplugged, designed for first‑year upper students, which strengthens personal and social skills useful for preventing substance use, including tobacco. Tra Pari, based on peer education and aimed at upper schools, which enhances students’ role in promoting healthy choices among their peers.
RESULTS:
The collaboration between the Lombardy Region and the Regional School Office has supported the consolidation of the Health‑Promoting Schools network, which is estimated to have involved over 1,000,000 students since 2011. Significant governance efforts have enabled the homogeneous dissemination of the programs, consistently reaching more than 1,000 schools.
CONCLUSIONS:
To promote health and prevent tobacco use, both evidence‑based programs and strong multidisciplinary alliances among the various actors involved are essential. Peer education about side effects of nicotine and other stimulants
The school is a priority setting for health promotion because it reaches young people before harmful habits become established. In Lombardy, with ten million inhabitants, all school actions align with the Health‑Promoting Schools model, ensuring coherence between policies, including anti‑tobacco measures, and educational practices. Within this framework, programs build individual skills and shape supportive environments to prevent risky behaviors, featuring dedicated units on tobacco, for long term student well being and health.
METHODS:
The main regional programs for the school setting are: LifeSkills Training, aimed at primary and middle students, based on life skills development and the active involvement of teachers, who help create environments less conducive to tobacco use and other substances. Unplugged, designed for first‑year upper students, which strengthens personal and social skills useful for preventing substance use, including tobacco. Tra Pari, based on peer education and aimed at upper schools, which enhances students’ role in promoting healthy choices among their peers.
RESULTS:
The collaboration between the Lombardy Region and the Regional School Office has supported the consolidation of the Health‑Promoting Schools network, which is estimated to have involved over 1,000,000 students since 2011. Significant governance efforts have enabled the homogeneous dissemination of the programs, consistently reaching more than 1,000 schools.
CONCLUSIONS:
To promote health and prevent tobacco use, both evidence‑based programs and strong multidisciplinary alliances among the various actors involved are essential. Peer education about side effects of nicotine and other stimulants
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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