SULAM - Semester 1, 2022/2023 (Details 3)

Summary : 

Despite many prevention and health promotion efforts made to develop awareness among the people, we are not only seeing more people smoking but the age of the smokers is getting younger (Gats 2011). The situation can be made worse given that approximately 38% of the total population is below 20 years old. Legally a child can buy their first cigarette at 18 years old. If Malaysia wants to be a Smoke-free Nation in 2040, serious youth advocacy must start and be done. There is a need to focus on more sustainable efforts to prevent the population from becoming future smokers. This can be achieved by developing a program of smoke-free generation using peer groups. In this study, we intend to build up advocates of smoke-free campaigns from schools and university students volunteers, thus be equipped with knowledge and understanding on the dangers of smoking, be it for health, social or financial affecting them individually and their immediate families. This realisation will help to foster their inner strength to refuse to smoke.This project is vital in preparing our younger generations as smoke-free advocates. For University Malaya to become a smoke-free campus, this program is timely in producing trainers who will help their peers stop smoking and prevent adolescents from becoming new smokers.

Objective : 

1. To develop a continuous pool of University Student Smoking Cessation trainers, on smoking cessation in the university under the purview of UMCAS-NARCC group.
   
2. To facilitate the above group in conducting smoke-free activities, including prevention and cessation programs to their peers at the UM and adopted schools, with intent on engaging them to be future advocates and volunteers.
3. To conduct periodical smoke-free activities, enhance and assist those already on the habit, stop others from initiating into the habit, and ensure current policies against smoking are adhered to at their living and learning environment.
4. To simulate human smoking pattern using an automated and portable smoking machine as a demonstration model during the practical session at university and schools.
5. To evaluate the effectiveness of the smoke-free activities carried out by the university students who had and those who did not have undertaken smoking cessation modules provided by UMCAS-NARCC group.  
6. To evaluate the long-term impact of the smoke-free generation concept amongst youths at the university and in school.