Resources About Youth Tobacco Cessation for Health Care Providers
Youth tobacco use is a significant health concern. It can be hard to broach the subject, but it's critical for your patient's future well-being. This toolkit provides resources for helping young patients start on their quitting journey.
Getting Started
Not sure where to start? These quick resources are designed for clinicians with patients who use
.Training
Training is also available for those interested in learning more about tobacco treatment, including treatment for young people.
Steps to Help Young People Quit Commercial Tobacco Use
Screening tools can help identify tobacco and nicotine use among youth and assess nicotine dependence. Understanding the level of dependence can help guide appropriate counseling, treatment and referral options.
Brief screening questionnaires:
- Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) (NIH)
- Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (for adolescents 12-15) (NIH) (PDF)
Clinical screening and assessment tools:
Understanding where your patient is in their quitting journey is important when determining the best treatment. These resources can help you determine the best next steps.
These materials are designed to help you discuss what the quitting journey will look like and help patients avoid becoming discouraged.
Note that NRT should be used when clinically appropriate per the American Academy of Pediatrics. Read the AAP's guidance on NRT for adolescents.
Learn more about the NRT options available for your patient.
There are a number of programs designed specifically to help young people quit
products. Read more about the options available for your patient.Have concerns about secondhand smoke in your patient's home? These materials are available to help you discuss options to quit with parents.
- Secondhand Smoke: Overview for Clinicians
- Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure (CEASE) (NIH):
- CEASE streamlines the standard U.S. Public Health Service cessation guidelines into a practical three-step workflow (Ask, Assist, Refer) designed for rapid pediatric clinic visits.
- Pediatricians: Partners in Helping Parents Quit Smoking or Vaping (American Lung Association)
- Refer family members to QuitlineNC