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The first objective of this study was to analyze the differences between adolescents who use sunscreen frequently and those who do not. The second objective was to explore the importance of specific action plans when planning sunscreen use. Data was gathered among 602 Belgian secondary school students. Frequent and infrequent users of sunscreen were compared on several determinants related with sunscreen use, and a regression analysis on sunscreen use was done. Frequent users of sunscreen measures had significantly higher scores on attitudes, social influence, self-efficacy, some awareness factors, intention, and action plans. The integrated model for exploring motivational and behavioral change (I-Change model) explained 57% of the total variance of using sunscreen every 2 hours. Frequent sunscreen use was most strongly predicted by action plans, followed by positive intentions to use sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, attitude toward sunscreen use, education, social influence, and exposure to the sun. Our results suggest that skin cancer prevention programs aimed at promoting sunscreen use need to emphasize the advantages of sunscreen to infrequent users and to increase feelings of self-efficacy. Moreover, support by friends and parents should be stimulated. Finally, developing specific action plans for the use of sunscreen should be promoted to more effectively translate general intentions into actual sunscreen use. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1360 -6)

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This study analyzed possibilities to access European adolescents for tobacco control activities in out-of-school settings as part of comprehensive tobacco control programs. Data on leisure time behaviors of secondary school students were gathered during three waves from six European Union countries as part of the European Smoking Prevention Framework Approach study. The results revealed that streets, shops, sport clubs, swimming pools and snack bars were the most popular leisure time settings for adolescents across the six countries. In addition, leisure time activities were similar across the six countries. European-wide prevention programmes can reach adolescents in similar out-of-school settings. Furthermore, smokers and nonsmokers differed in the places that they visited. Whereas smokers preferred social places such as bars, house/rave parties, discos, snack bars, streets and shops, nonsmokers preferred sport clubs and libraries. Smokers tended to visit more unsupervised and less structured places where smoking tends to be permitted, whereas nonsmokers tended to visit places with more structured activities and places under adult supervision. Over time, both smoking and nonsmoking adolescents tended to spend more of their leisure time in settings with low adult supervision. As structured activities under the supervision of adults can have a protective effect against the involvement in risky behaviours, participation in these types of activities must be promoted. Additional strategies for settings with less supervision need to be developed as they attract more smoking adolescents and older nonsmoking adolescents.