Youth Engagement in Tobacco Prevention and Control

Best Practices 2014 recommends that states focus on four goals, including preventing initiation and promoting quitting among youth and young adults. The 2012 Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults, defines youth as people ages 12–17. The youth perspective is critical to tobacco prevention and control because most people start smoking cigarettes before age 18. The tobacco industry also continues to use advertising strategies that appeal to youth to recruit the next generation of smokers. Youth involvement can lead to important environmental and social norm changes and reduce pro-tobacco influences. This guide gives program managers information on how to engage youth as a part of a comprehensive tobacco control program.