SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, December 20, 2000: After 14 years and 15 million dollars, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has abandoned a project that was aimed at controlling tobacco use among the youth. 8,388 school children and 640 teachers in 40 school districts were targeted for the study. The curriculum, arming the children with tools to resist peer pressure and advertising influences, was taught from grade three through grade ten. However recent surveys indicate that the amount of smokers from this group mimics the general populace who did not participate in the program. Associated Press said, “24.4 percent of the girls and 26.3 percent of the boys were daily smokers by the 12th grade” — no different from the rest of 12th graders. Richard Clayton, a University of Kentucky researcher, feels that the decision to smoke is an emotional one and the Washington State program focused incorrectly on a rational approach.
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