Background: Most tobacco users become addicted during childhood and adolescence. To reduce the prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses, more emphasis must be placed on preventing the onset of tobacco use. Physicians can play a major role.
Methods: Based on a series of clinical trials, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed recommendations to help patients stop smoking. Behavioral and developmental research have identified factors that contribute to the onset of smoking. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed guidelines for health supervision from birth to adulthood, including engaging parents and children as partners in health care. The NCI recommendations, behavioral research results, and AAP guidelines were integrated to develop a strategy to prevent the onset of tobacco use.
Results: The NCI proposes five steps to prevent tobacco use during childhood and adolescence. There are five physician activities, beginning with the letter A, including anticipatory guidance, ask, advise, assist, and arrange follow-up. Anticipatory guidance, the practice of counseling for potential problems, is a key part of health care for the young. The nature of these steps varies, depending on the child's age, developmental stage, and behavior, as well as smoking habits of family members.
Conclusion: Despite the long-term consequences of smoking, onset and addiction to tobacco use usually begins in childhood. Therefore, physicians who care for children have a major role in eliminating tobacco use by preventing its onset.