Smoking bans at home and in public places cut teenage smoking

Although restrictions on smoking are known to reduce adult smoking, little is known about their influence on teenage smoking. Wakefield et al (p 333) examined the effect of smoking restrictions on teenage smoking in a cross sectional survey of 17 287 high school students in the United States. They found that stronger restrictions on smoking in public places and at home were associated with being at earlier stages of smoking uptake and lower smoking prevalence. Bans on smoking at school were effective only if strictly enforced.

Related Article

Effect of restrictions on smoking at home, at school, and in public places on teenage smoking: cross sectional study

Melanie A Wakefield, Frank J Chaloupka, Nancy J Kaufman, C Tracy Orleans, Dianne C Barker, and Erin E Ruel
BMJ 2000 321: 333-337. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]