The Lifetime Cost of Chew was developed to provide a low-cost strategy to help children, adolescents, and adults understand the cost of smokeless tobacco use. The program was designed to be implemented in schools and other educational facilities. The program includes multiple components: curriculum manual, chewing calculators, and pre- and post-tests. The curriculum design first instructs teachers to pre-test their students’ knowledge about smokeless tobacco before completing the activities. A teacher activity guide is then provided to help students use their chewing calculator to complete student activities. Finally, a post-test will evaluate the change in knowledge of students after the program. The curriculum was designed for use in both annual and periodic prevention programs. The program can be used in conjunction or alternated with the A Short Story of Life tobacco prevention education program.

Manual:

A separate curriculum was designed for three different age/grade cohorts: grades 4 & 5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Calculator:

There are two components to the chewing calculator. On side one, The Lifetime Cost of Chew, choosing the number of dips per day gives an estimate of lifetime cost of chewing at $2.00 and $5.00 per can and the total number of cans used in a lifetime. Side two is the Addiction Index. Students can read and add points for each statement they agree with. The table at the bottom places the student in an addiction category based on their total number of points. Each student will receive a chewing calculator to keep. Student activities are designed to require use of this calculator, which provides a visual aide valuable to the learning process. It promotes active learning and a take-home tool and message to share with others.

Pre- and Post-Tests:

The Lifetime Cost of Chew is a research-based smokeless tobacco prevention program. The pre- and post-tests are designed to measure the beginning knowledge of participants and the change in knowledge and skills acquired by students who use the curriculum and the chewing calculator. Uniform administration is important for the tests. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of the program in school-age children.

Order Materials or Contact Us if you are interested in using these programs in your school.