Comparison of Peer Education and the Classic Training Method for School Aged Children Regarding Smoking and its Dangers

•One out of every six or seven students was smoking.•Most of the students who smoke had begun smoking due to curiosity and negative influence of peers and/or family members who smoke.•Peer education was more effective method than classic training about smoking and its harmful effects for school aged children.•Peer education should be included in the school programs, and nurses should play a role in the development and implementation of these programs.

The aim of the present study is to compare the knowledge levels acquired from two different methods of teaching (peer education and a classic training method) about smoking and its dangers to school aged children. This study was an experimental design with pre- and post-tests. A total of 354 students, 253 of whom were from the peer education school, and 101 of whom were from the classic training school, were included. The study results found that the mean post-test scores of the students in the peer education school were significantly increased, indicating a greater level of knowledge (p < .05).