Adolescent smoking: influential factors, past preventive efforts, and future nursing implications

Every year, one million youths begin to smoke cigarettes. Authorities agree the best approach to adolescent smoking is prevention. However, before nurses can implement any preventive efforts, they must understand the factors that influence adolescent smoking. Recent research indicates that a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors are necessary for the initiation of smoking. Preventive programs that reduce the rate of smoking have combined these factors and have aimed to increase the personal and social skills of adolescents. Nurses who work with adolescents and their families can and should incorporate this information into their practices.