Counseling to prevent initiation of use

All youth and young adults who have not started using tobacco products should be counseled to prevent initiation of use. Techniques include face-to-face counseling, telephone counseling, and computer-based and print-based interventions. Messaging to reinforce include the harms of smokeless tobacco, nicotine and tobacco addiction, tobacco’s negative effect on teeth, and consequences of tobacco use.

A positive message might sound like: “That’s great that you’re not using vapes or cigarettes. Not vaping or smoking is 1 of the single best things you can do to protect your health.” You might also want to ask: “What are your reasons for not vaping or smoking?” and follow up by reinforcing the youth’s reasons and adding information about negative health effects.

You can also assess for possible future use by asking “Do you have any friends who vape or smoke?” and “Do you think any of them might have trouble stopping now?” Initiating an open conversation with youth and young adults is the key to preventing future use.