The effectiveness of policy and health education strategies for reducing adolescent smoking: a review of the evidence

This paper identifies the most effective measures to prevent smoking among adolescents. A review was made of the international literature concerning a ban on tobacco advertising, restrictions on sales to youth, product regulation, price increase of cigarettes and educational strategies. It is concluded that isolated measures produce little effect. Most effect may be expected from a combination of a complete ban on tobacco advertising, increasing prices, restricting tobacco product sales to tobacconists, mass media education aimed at youth and intensifying school education. A less effective measure is limiting the age at which adolescents are allowed to buy cigarettes.