ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING TOBACCO USE, continued

Although not long-time smokers, many youth report experiencing difficulty trying to quit and other symptoms of nicotine addiction (McNeill 1991; USDHHS 1994). In addition to developing nicotine addiction, health problems specifically associated with smoking among youth include reductions in lung growth and functioning, respiratory problems, and low fitness levels (USDHHS 1994).

The facts that most smokers start young, that early smoking increases health risks, and that smoking is on the upswing among youth would suggest that efforts to reduce the use of tobacco should be directed largely at youth. Environmental prevention strategies represent an important part of any comprehensive plan to address the problem of youth smoking. This chapter will present four such strategies, citing research concerning their levels of effectiveness. This chapter will also provide guidance on the implementation of environmental strategies targeting tobacco use and share two case study examples demonstrating how these the strategies were implemented with success in a community.