The Silent Reform of Swiss Federalism: The New Constitutional Articles on Education

This article examines the decision-making process leading to the new constitutional articles on education in Switzerland. It analyzes how actors from both state levels (Confederation and cantons) could reach consensus in a process that was prone to a "joint-decision trap". To that end, we hypothesize which factors may be conducive to a "problem-solving" style of policy-making in a compulsory negotiation system. Rich empirical material from various sources supports our theoretical arguments: We show that shared beliefs and a common frame of reference, the procedural separation between constitutional and distributional issues, neutral brokers, and informal structures were all beneficial to the success of the reform project.

Efficacy of an Internet-based, individually tailored smoking cessation program: A randomized trial

Introduction: Self-help computer-based programs are easily accessible and cost-effective interventions with a great recruitment potential. However, each program is different and results of meta-analyses may not apply to each new program; therefore, evaluations of new programs are warranted. The aim of this study was to assess the marginal efficacy of a computer-based, individually tailored program (the Coach) over and above the use of a comprehensive Internet smoking cessation website. Methods: A two-group randomized controlled trial was conducted. The control group only accessed the website, whereas the intervention group received the Coach in addition. Follow-up was conducted by e-mail after three and six months (self-administrated questionnaires). Of 1120 participants, 579 (51.7%) responded after three months and 436 (38.9%) after six months. The primary outcome was self-reported smoking abstinence over four weeks. Results: Counting dropouts as smokers, there were no statistically significant differences between intervention and control groups in smoking cessation rates after three months (20.2% vs. 17.5%, p¼0.25, odds ratio (OR)¼1.20) and six months (17% vs. 15.5%, p¼0.52, OR¼1.12). Excluding dropouts from the analysis, there were statistically significant differences after three months (42% vs. 31.6%, p¼0.01, OR¼1.57), but not after six months (46.1% vs. 37.8%, p¼0.081, OR¼1.41). The program also significantly increased motivation to quit after three months and self-efficacy after three and six months. Discussion: An individually tailored program delivered via the Internet and by e-mail in addition to a smoking cessation website did not significantly increase smoking cessation rates, but it increased motivation to quit and self-efficacy.

Quand le tabac s’affiche au Parlement. Débats sur les limitations en matière de publicité de la cigarette dans les cantons romands

Cette contribution porte sur les politiques d’interdiction de la publicité pour les cigarettes, l’un des axes-clé de la prévention structurelle du tabagisme. Nous nous intéressons à la rapide et récente dissémination de ces politiques dans les cantons suisses, qui contraste avec l’immobilisme fédéral. Nous attirons alors l’attention sur le rôle moteur du niveau d’action cantonal, au sein d’un domaine de santé publique qui avait pourtant connu, cette dernière décennie, ses plus formidables avancées dans le sillage de mouvements d’essence supranationaux. L’analyse des débats parlementaires romands nous permet finalement d’élaborer une typologie des argumentaires en présence, et de mettre en évidence les axes les plus à mêmes de provoquer une scission gauche/droite.

Postsecondary education and the new workforce /

"PLLI 96-8005"--P. [4] of cover.

College-level remedial education in the fall of 1989 /

455-G-9

Chinese political philosophy,

Mode of access: Internet.

Dictionary of Jewish public affairs and related matters /

Mode of access: Internet.

Public availability of reports abstracted in nuclear science abstracts.

"February 1960."

Public availability of reports abstracted in nuclear science abstracts.

"June 1961."

Speeches on questions of public policy,

Mode of access: Internet.

A generation of progress in our public schools, 1881-1912; an intimate history of the Public education association of Philadelphia since its origin as a volunteer organization of citizens interested in the welfare of our public schools...

Mode of access: Internet.

NASA's education program.

Mode of access: Internet.

A state equalizing fund for public education, showing how Louisiana can more adequately meet its educational responsibility.

At head of title: State department of education of Louisiana.