Tobacco prevention and cessation in adolescents: role of oral health professionals

Abstract

Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. The most powerful predictor of adult tobacco use is its initiation during adolescence, the most susceptible time for onset of this habit. Initiation of tobacco use is associated with peer pressure, parental use, school factors, cultural norms, lower self-esteem, accessibility, moderate pricing, desire for experimentation, and aggressive marketing by tobacco companies. While dentists have a positive attitude regarding their role in tobacco cessation, the same is not extrapolated into practice. Several barriers to counseling in the dental clinic have been identified. Dental professionals can render tobacco cessation services to the youth. Brief interventions, self-help materials, and pharmacotherapy for established nicotine dependence form the mainstay of therapy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the several factors leading to tobacco initiation in adolescence and discuss the role of oral health professionals in future dependence.