The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says primary care physicians can be a powerful weapon in the fight to prevent children and teens from ever trying that first cigarette.
The task force is recommending doctors who treat children and teens to offer them information and counseling about the health dangers associated with smoking.
Why focus on young people? According to the campaign for tobacco free kids, over 90 percent of adult smokers started before the age of 19.
Another target in fighting smoking among young people is parents. Having a parent who smokes is one of the strongest factors for children starting to smoke.
The task force recommends physicians ask parents about their smoking habits and offer them guidance about how to quit.
Community based anti-smoking efforts, such as school anti-tobacco programs and public ad campaigns, have been shown to be effective in fighting and preventing smoking. Experts believe that adding anti-smoking messages in the doctors office, and having it reinforced at home will offer more tools in preventing young people from ever beginning to smoke.
The task force is recommending doctors who treat children and teens to offer them information and counseling about the health dangers associated with smoking.
Why focus on young people? According to the campaign for tobacco free kids, over 90 percent of adult smokers started before the age of 19.
Another target in fighting smoking among young people is parents. Having a parent who smokes is one of the strongest factors for children starting to smoke.
The task force recommends physicians ask parents about their smoking habits and offer them guidance about how to quit.
Community based anti-smoking efforts, such as school anti-tobacco programs and public ad campaigns, have been shown to be effective in fighting and preventing smoking. Experts believe that adding anti-smoking messages in the doctors office, and having it reinforced at home will offer more tools in preventing young people from ever beginning to smoke.
