Protecting Children and Adolescents From Tobacco and Nicotine
Brian P. Jenssen, Susan C. Walley, Rachel Boykan, Alice Little Caldwell, Deepa R. Camenga, SECTION ON NICOTINE AND TOBACCO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT, Susan C. Walley, Rachel Boykan, Judith A. Groner, Brian P. Jenssen, Jyothi Marbin, Bryan Mih, Alice Little Caldwell, Lily Rabinow, Gregory H. Blake, Karen S. Smith, James D. Baumberger, Lucien Gonzalez, Rita Agarwal, Deepa R. Camenga, Joanna Quigley, Kenneth Zoucha, Leslie R. Walker-Harding, Christine Kurien, Rebecca Ba’Gah, Renee Jarrett
Abstract
Significant strides have been made in reducing rates of cigarette smoking among adolescents in the United States. However, rates of e-cigarette and similar device use among youth are high, and rates of other tobacco product use, such as cigars and hookahs, have not declined. In addition, almost 40% of children 3 to 11 years of age are regularly exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke, and rates of secondhand exposure to e-cigarette aerosol have increased over the last decade. Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to help children, adolescents, and their families live tobacco-free lives. Actions by pediatricians can help reduce children's risk of developing tobacco and nicotine use disorder and reduce children's tobacco smoke and/or aerosol exposure.