by Andrea Belanus Brassard, DNSc, MPH, ANP

Expiration Date: December 31, 2010
No CE contact hours (CH) will be given after this date.

Abstract & Objectives

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the Unites States today. Almost all of today’s current smokers started in their teen years. The goal/purpose of this independent study module is to call attention to adolescent smoking and encourage nurses in many settings to intervene. Resources and opportunities for tobacco prevention and cessation are described. This Independent Study Module (ISM) was developed for Partners in Program Planning for Adolescent Health (PIPPAH), a federally funded program administered by the American Nurses Foundation of the American Nurses Association.

Objectives: On successful completion of this independent study module, the learner will be able to:

1. Recognize the current prevalence of adolescent tobacco use.
2. Examine the etiology of tobacco use in adolescence
3. Investigate resources and strategies for tobacco prevention in school health settings.
4. Use tobacco cessation strategies and resources with adolescents in multiple settings.
5. Partner with other nurses against tobacco use.

Key words: adolescence, adolescent health, cigarette smoking, health promotion, prevention, school health, smoking cessation, tobacco use

Next: Read The Independent Study Module