Prevention of active and passive smoking in childhood

Smoking is one of the main Public Health problems. In many western countries, Spain among them. In the last few years in particular, Health authorities are working hard in order to get this important problem under control. In spite of this, it can be seen that tobacco use is still significant, thus in secondary school children, over 20 % of adolescents aged 14-16 years are smokers. Moreover, around 50 % of children younger than 14, have domestic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Smoking during pregnancy causes significant morbidity and mortality, not only in neonatal age but also throughout life. There are not enough studies of sufficient quality that evaluate the effectiveness of individual advice in adolescents. School and community programs have a limited efficacy. Anti-smoking counselling to parents in a Paediatric Primary Care setting is recommended. This is of especial importance in pregnant women. We must advise adolescents to stop smoking in a way that is adapted to their development and understanding capacity. We should stress the short-term consequences and the most important motivating aspects for teenagers. A special leaflet for adolescents giving anti-smoking counselling is suggested.