Kick the Nic
Kick the Nic is a group program to help young people quit, delivered by health and education professional in schools and community settings. There are 10 sessions that include activities related to tobacco cessation: knowledge, attitude and skills development. The program seeks to create a positive learning experience for all participants and to equip them with the skills to continue making positive changes throughout their lives.
Results from the evaluation of Kick the Nic show the program helps young people quit or reduce the amount smoked. Of the 291 youth surveyed, 18 per cent quit smoking and 53 percent cut down. The regression analysis results suggest the program was most effective for youth ages 16 to 19 and for light smokers.
Kick the Nic is based on the following assumptions:
- young people who come to the sessions have made the decision to quit tobacco
- it’s possible for young people to quit smoking with support from peers
- social situations appeal to young people
- developing a skill set will facilitate change
- it’s important for young people to believe they know how to, and are able to, make positive choices
- learning derives from both successes and failures
- learning to quit using tobacco is a process
- tobacco addiction has physical, psychological, emotional and/or behavioural components
- family, educators, role models, peers and media influence young people’s behaviour.
If you are interested in holding a Kick the Nic session in your school or community, contact Centre for Addiction Research BC (CARBC) at 1-866-677-LINK (5465).
If you are a young person interested in attending Kick the Nic sessions, speak to your school counsellor or call your local health authority. Download a PDF file at www.health.gov.bc.ca/tobctrl/pdf/tecontacts.pdf
Kick the Nic Evalulation
Download evaluation in PDF file