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Project LIFE (Look Into Future Effects) is an
across the curriculum comprehensive approach to tobacco
education/cessation/prevention. The semester course is designed to meet the varied
needs of continuation students by offering two biology credits, two English credits and
one elective credit and involving them with a firsthand experience of what the future
holds for them based on their current lifestyles. Students are also given a unique
opportunity to examine their attitudes and beliefs about tobacco and its effects.
Components of the course include: communication training; journal and reflective writing;
research into tobacco-related diseases and topics; intense study of respiratory,
circulatory and excretory systems; eight visitations to a local nursing care facility; a
cardiologist led tour of the hospital including various cardiac/pulmonary procedures,
x-rays, catheterization lab, ER, and Intensive Care Units; guest speakers from the medical
field; and community service. Results of first semester 1997 showed that 31%
of those who smoked in September reduced their daily smoking. Fifty percent of the
smokers tried to quit at least once during the semester, two students have successfully
quit and the rest said they would try to quit again. Of those who were non-smokers,
all have remained determined to not smoke. As one student said, "The class has
made smoking not a pleasurable act anymore because I now think about all we talked about
in class." Another non-smoker said that before the class she did not mind being
with those who smoked. Now she knows what their smoke is doing to her and she will
not be with anyone while they are smoking.
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