The Case and Context for “The Real Cost” Campaign

Abstract

Discussion of how the creation of the Center for Tobacco Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, youth trends in cigarette smoking, and effectiveness of mass media interventions served as the foundation for the development of "The Real Cost" youth smoking prevention media campaign. The success of the campaign demonstrates that a comprehensive regulatory approach that includes public education can reduce the public health burden of tobacco use. SUPPLEMENT INFORMATION: This article is part of a supplement entitled Fifth Anniversary Retrospective of "The Real Cost," the Food and Drug Administration's Historic Youth Smoking Prevention Media Campaign, which is sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.