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American Lung Association. American Lung Association and American Academy of Pediatrics Partner to Help Teens Quit All Tobacco Products. Press Release. 4 Jan 2023. “ACT for Youth Cessation is a one-hour online course based on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Youth Tobacco Cessation: Considerations for Clinicians that aims to teach healthcare professionals, school personnel, and community members how to conduct a brief intervention for teens who use tobacco. The course outlines the steps of Ask, Counsel, Treat, and provides guidance, support, and best practices for having an effective conversation with adolescents ages 11 and older who use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.”

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-lung-association-and-american-academy-of-pediatrics-partner-to-help-teens-quit-all-tobacco-products-301712724.html

AAP President Dr. Sandy Chung noted, “Children are frequently exposed to imagery of tobacco use in movies and media, as well as advertisements that target them because of their youth. AAP and the American Lung Association advocate for structural changes to end these practices, which often prey upon vulnerable and marginalized groups. But we understand that it is also critical to empower teens early to make good decisions about their health. This course gives our community leaders a tool to help get those conversations started.”

Comment: E-cigarette smoking in the US has doubled among 8th graders (13 years old) in the yearly US Monitoring the Future survey in 2022. Thus, health professionals need guidance in helping children to understand and stop tobacco use.

Stephen Hamann