Given the documented link between smoking and later debilitating health conditions, a need exists to investigate educational programs aimed at reducing rates of smoking among school-age children. An entire class of ninth graders was involved in a treatment condition featuring either role-playing and discussion or discussion only. While both treatments effectively reduced levels of smoking among inchoate smokers, few changes were noted for youngsters manifesting more long-term, entrenched habits. Levels of smoking for children monitored in a control school remained about the same. These data suggest that early preventive programs might be most efficacious in curtailing smoking among school-age children. (Author)