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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs)
Use of Cessation Methods Among Smokers Aged 16–24 Years—United States, 2003
December 22, 2006 / Vol. 55 / No. 50
MMWR Highlights
- According to data from the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey, smokers
aged 16–24 years who had ever tried to quit smoking were more likely to make
unassisted quit attempts than to use assisted quitting methods.
- The Public Health Service (PHS) recommends specific assisted methods for treating
adult tobacco use that have been shown to be effective. Unassisted attempts to quit
are much less likely to result in successful quitting.
- Unassisted attempts to quit are not recommended by the Public Health Service (PHS)
for treating adult tobacco dependence; however, the PHS does recommend most assisted methods.
- The most frequently used unassisted strategies reported by these young smokers included
decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked (88.3%), not buying cigarettes (56.0%),
exercising more (51.0%), trying to quit with a friend (47.5%), telling others they no
longer smoked (44.5%), and switching to "light" cigarettes (36.1%).
- Only 2.1% of smokers aged 16–24 called telephone helplines and only 20% spoke
to a health professional about quitting even though both strategies can improve
chances for successful quitting.
- Use of certain unassisted quit strategies such as switching to light cigarettes
(36.1%) or other tobacco products (18%) is a concern because such strategies may actually
undermine successful quitting.
- The PHS guidelines recommend the following clinician actions for treating youth tobacco
dependence: screen young patients and their parents for tobacco use and provide a strong
message regarding the importance of totally abstaining from tobacco use; consider counseling
and behavioral interventions; consider prescriptions for FDA-approved medications when there
is evidence of nicotine dependence and a desire to quit tobacco use; and offer cessation
advice and interventions to parents to help them be a positive role model and to limit
youth exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Comprehensive tobacco-control programs that decrease smoking prevalence among young
people need to be implemented fully in every state and territory to prevent youth from
starting to smoke and to support youth and adults who want to quit smoking.
Page last reviewed 02/28/2007
Page last modified 02/28/2007