Physicians represent an important and effective line of defense in the fight against teen smoking, according to a study published online May 16 in Pediatrics. Ashley M. Hum, from the University of Memphis, and colleagues conducted a retrospective observational study of 5,145 adolescents from an urban mid-South school system and how their interactions with physicians affected tobacco use and attitudes.

While almost half of the students (43.2 percent) reported receiving neither screening nor advice regarding tobacco use, those who had the conversation with their doctors were less likely to think smoking improved one's social standing. Those who were screened and advised (28.9 percent) had more accurate knowledge of smoking hazards, particularly among smokers.

Teen smokers who received advice from their doctors also were less likely to report an intention to smoke in five years, and were more likely to plan to quit in six months. Although the success rates varied, adolescents who had discussed their habit with their doctors reported more attempts to stop smoking.

"Physician's tobacco-related interactions with adolescents seemed to positively impact their attitudes, knowledge, intentions to smoke, and quitting behaviors," the authors wrote. "Brief physician interventions have the potential to be a key intervention on a public health level through the prevention, cessation, and reduction of smoking and smoking-related disease."

To learn more:
- here's the abstract of the study from Pediatrics
- read the article from MedPage Today
- see this HealthDay News piece via DoctorsLounge

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