International Approaches to Tobacco Use Cessation Programming and Prevention Interventions among Indigenous Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

This article reviews evidence-based smoking cessation and prevention programs for Indigenous youth and young adults in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA. A systematic review using PubMed and PsycINFO search engines was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies focusing on Indigenous youth and young adults. Beyond two Cochrane reviews (2012) of smoking cessation and prevention programs for Indigenous youth and young adults, we located only two additional studies post Cochrane review. Combined results from the articles in the Cochrane reviews and the more recent studies suggest that recruitment of young Indigenous populations is challenging. Only one study with the smoking cessation program using mobile phone text messaging among the Maori was shown effective. Additional evidence-based programs are essential for Indigenous youth and young adults to reduce smoking initiation and prevalence rates. Further evaluations of commercial tobacco use prevention and cessation programs are needed to bridge the gap between tobacco-related health disparities in Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Additionally, qualitative research is encouraged to further understand the barriers to recruitment.