Community-based strategies to promote smoking prevention and cessation are needed to reinforce national tobacco control policies. We conducted a study to assess the smoking behavior and attitudes of 13–14 years old students from three Transylvanian counties before and after a community-based intervention to reduce smoking. Pre-intervention results showed significantly higher odds of smoking among students attending lower quality schools, or having poorer school achievement, while students having more knowledge about the consequences of smoking were less likely smokers. Smoking patterns of adolescents were influenced by the behavior of friends, classmates, living environment, and their community activities (e.g. higher community activity increased the odds of smoking). The results suggest the importance of cultural models and characteristics of the community during the interventional preventive programs. Participation in community activities can lead to positive outcomes if positive values and health-conscious behaviors are offered to adolescents in the community