Tobacco smoking prevention in adolescence

Tobacco consumption may become a problem in adolescence. Experiencing tobacco may drive to a long-lasting consumption and dependence.

Adolescents smokers have the same risk in the long term than adult smokers as far as cancer, cardiovascular disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is concerned. Moreover, tobacco implies relevant risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

After a comprehensive literature review, the group PrevInfad concludes that there is no good quality evidence in favor nor against the recommendation of individual intervention on tobacco consumption in adolescents. Nevertheless, given the relevant implications in health of the early tobacco dependence, and the greater difficulty of its cessation when started at an early age, the benefit of the brief counseling or intervention seems greater than its risk, taking into account the values and preferences of the adolescents and their families as well as the available resources.