After 13 years of showcasing the downside of other risky teen-age behaviors, the Troubadours Teen Theatre Troupe has switched its focus to youth smoking.

        Starting in early May, the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District will hand responsibility for the troupe over to the American Lung Association of Kentucky. Sponsors say the leadership change will signify a new focus on fighting tobacco use by teen-agers and pre-teens.

        For Kentucky, which has some of the top youth smoking rates in the nation, the switch will be a natural one, said Kathy Gavin, director of health education and planning for the health department.

        “We're moving it to very very capable hands,” Ms. Gavin said of the theatrical troupe of 14- to 18-year-olds. “The Lung Association is extremely excited. We see this as a great way to discourage teen tobacco use.”

        According to the 2000 Youth Tobacco Survey, Kentucky has the highest smoking rate in the nation for middle school youths and the second-highest rate for high school students, said Mike Kuntz, director of education and advocacy for the American Lung Association of Kentucky.

        Twenty-two percent of Kentucky's middle school students smoke, compared to a national rate of 9.2 percent. West Virginia is tops in high school smoking rates, or 38.5 percent, while Kentucky is No. 2 with 37.4 percent. Ohio ranks fourth at 33.4 percent.

        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects nearly 88,000 Kentuckians under 18 will die prematurely from smoking.

        The youths who join next year's Troubadour cast will receive extensive training about tobacco use and its effects on users, friends and families.

        As the health district shifts its focus from awareness-raising programs to those that deal with policy changes, representatives of the Lung Association say they are pleased to continue the popular program.

        “We had been aware of the troubadour program for a long time,” Mr. Kuntz said. “When we heard it might be phased out, we didn't want that to happen.”

        Started with a grant 13 years ago, the Troubadour performances originally were intended to be a short-term project, Ms. Gavin said.

        “But they were such a hit that the state found a different pot of money to fund (the troubadours),” she said.

        Initially funded with family planning program money, early Troubadour performances focused on teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, Ms. Gavin said. A few years later, the group began tackling a range of teen-aged, risk-taking behaviors. Performances by the troupe have dealt with everything from eating disorders and date rape to peer pressure and teen violence.

        After each performance, the troupe does a question-answer session with its audience. If someone approaches a troupe member with a problem or concern that requires professional help, the teens sometimes refer questioners to an individual or organization on the resource list they carry.

        When the troupe tackles a “really heavy-hitting issue,” such as child abuse, counselors make themselves available after each performance, Ms. Gavin said.

        “There are a lot of people that you can tell are really affected by what we're doing, based on the comments we get after the performance,” said three-year troupe member Kelly Prather, 17.

        “People will confide in us or ask questions about teen issues because they see us as a peer.”

        The Highlands High School junior joined the troupe three years ago after watching her brother perform with the group.

        “I like helping people, and I thought it would be a really interesting thing to do,” Kelly said. “It's a different way to approach important issues.”

        First-year troupe member Elizabeth Dansberry, 18, was drawn to the group because she loves to act and is passionate about preventing risky behaviors — especially smoking. In January, the Notre Dame Academy senior became the health department's first tobacco youth advocate dedicated to reducing teen smoking.

        Elizabeth and Angie DeYoung, 17, say they also enjoy making friends at other schools and learning what issues other teens are concerned about.

        “This is my last year (with the Troubadours) but I want to help out as a chaperone or do set design next year,” said Angie, a Campbell County High School senior.

        “Next year is going to be incredible. We're going to have a larger group with a bigger budget.”

        Coordinating next year's cast will be Jennifer Kroger, a former health department employee who joined the Lung Association Monday.

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