Background: The Smarter than Smoking (STS) Project was established in 1995 as a multi-strategy intervention to reduce smoking among 10 to 15-year-olds in Western Australia (WA). Based at the National Heart Foundation and funded by the Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway), STS employs a comprehensive strategy mix to communicate with young people, including mass media, the Internet, sponsorship, school initiatives, youth publications and advocacy. A fundamental component of STS is involving young people in its planning and implementation.

Strategy: This paper describes key methods used by STS to consult with young people. These methods include ongoing qualitative research and the coordination of a Youth Management Committee.

Extensive qualitative research was conducted with 12 to 15 year olds in 1996, 2000 and 2004, to establish and refine STS's communication objectives. We will outline how this research directly contributes to the development of media strategies and messages.

A Youth Management Committee was formed in 2000 and initially included 15 young people aged 12 to 15 years. We will describe how the Committee is actively involved in concept testing and development of media materials; providing feedback on merchandise and resources and acting as project spokespersons. In 2007, up to 20 young people form the Committee, and a broader youth network including regional and metropolitan representatives has been established to provide further input towards STS.

Conclusion: STS has, and continues to, demonstrate positive outcomes in youth smoking prevention. Involving young people in the Project has been a key ingredient in achieving these outcomes.