Tobacco and athletics. Update and current status

The 1990's marked the beginning of a new era in the war against tobacco. This time, however, the major initiatives to exert control of and reduce tobacco use were directed at the tobacco industry. To succeed, these efforts had first to overcome intense political, economic, and other obstacles that are inexorably intertwined with the influential power base of tobacco interests that are, in turn, supported by the vast wealth of the tobacco industry. There were also disturbing revelations of an increase in new tobacco users among American youth. Furthermore, the intimate associations between athletics and the use of smokeless tobacco appear not to have abated. Another generation of tobacco users must now be provided with all the available science, techniques, and support systems to reduce or eliminate use of tobacco. Members of the dental profession must continue to monitor the use of all forms of tobacco by their patients; provide counseling; initiate intervention and cessation programs; and, particularly, discourage teenagers from initiating use. Similar efforts are required from physicians.