The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently released its final recommendation statement on primary care interventions to prevent tobacco use in children and adolescents.1 The Task Force recommends that primary care clinicians provide interventions, including education or brief counseling, to prevent initiation of tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents.
Even Minimal Interventions Effective
According to the recommendation statement, “The type and intensity of effective behavioral interventions substantially varied in the evidence review, ranging from no in-person interaction with a health care professional to seven group sessions totaling more than 15 hours. Even very minimal interventions, such as mailing materials to a youth’s home, had substantial effects on reducing smoking initiation.” ■
Reference
1. Moyer VA, on behalf of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Primary care interventions to prevent tobacco use in children and adolescents. Ann Intern Med. August 26, 2013 (early release online).
