Adults versus teenagers: a false dilemma and a dangerous choice

• Published in: Tobacco control Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 336 - 338
• Main Author: MYERS, MATTHEW L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-09-1999; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Adults; Children; Cigarette smoking; Debate; Female; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Political debate; Politicians; Prevention; Preventive medicine; Public health; Schools; Smoking Cessation; Smoking Prevention; Students; Teenagers; Tobacco; Tobacco industry; Tobacco use; Tobacco Use Disorder - mortality; Tobacco Use Disorder - prevention & control; Tolls; Young adults; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 0964-4563; 1468-3318
• DOI: 10.1136/tc.8.3.336

The experience in the United States is typical: it has been estimated that over 3000 young people become regular smokers every day. 5 David Kessler, former commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration was correct when he labelled tobacco use a "paediatric disease"-not because it is wrong for children to smoke, but good for adults to do so-but because nearly 90% of all tobacco users start as children. [...]there is a parallel, increasing body of evidence that well-run, scientifically validated programmes in schools can make a difference, particularly when they are combined with community-based efforts. 12 These studies add scientific validity to the experiences in Florida and Massachusetts. [...]it is wrong to conclude that tobacco prevention programmes don't work.