Promoting cessation of tobacco use.

Abstract

Tobacco exacts an exorbitant toll on the nation's health, causing more than 450,000 deaths yearly. Although rates of smoking (the most common form of tobacco use) among adults have decreased in the past two decades, the decline has recently leveled off. Of additional concern is that youth tobacco use is increasing (1). A combination of recent scientific advances and social, legal, and public policy developments provides an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the burden of death and disease caused by tobacco use (2). Reducing tobacco use among adults and adolescents is an important public health goal.