Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of preventable death in Australia, killing approximately 19,000 people every year.8 Up to 90% of smokers begin smoking by 18 years of age.9,10 In spite of the obvious public health burden, current approaches have led to very modest decreases in adolescent smoking in the past 10 years. 11 The Smoking Cessation for Youth Project (SCYP)4 was a cluster randomised control trial that resulted in lower cigarette smoking among Year 10 students who received a harm minimisation intervention over two years. This project also led to the identification of connectedness as a key mediator of cigarette smoking. In a subsequent formative evaluation, we have explored the role of extra-curricular activities in mediating school connectedness (details later). This longitudinal cohort study seeks to quantify the potential benefits of participation in extra-curricular activities, via increases in school, family and community connectedness, in reducing cigarette smoking and a range of other health compromising behaviours.

Cross, D., Hamilton, G., McGee, R., & Hall, M. (2004). Impact of extra-curricular activities on adolescents' connectedness and cigarette smoking: annual report. Perth, Australia: Child Health Promotion Research Unit, Edith Cowan University.