Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people

Summary

This guidance focuses on mass-media and point-of-sales measures to prevent the uptake of smoking by children and young people under 18. It is for all those with a remit to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people. This includes those working in the NHS, local authorities, the criminal justice system and the wider public, voluntary and community sectors. It is also aimed at the private sector, in particular the retail industry and mass-media services.

Mass-media interventions use a range of methods to communicate a message. This can include local, regional or national television, radio and newspapers, and leaflets and booklets. It can also include new media. The aim of mass-media interventions is to reach large numbers of people without being reliant on face-to-face contact.

Point-of-sales interventions take place at the point where tobacco could be sold. Primarily, they aim to deter shopkeepers from making illegal sales.

Mass-media and point-of-sales measures should be combined with other prevention activities as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Such a strategy is defined by the US Surgeon General, World Health Organization and others as encompassing price and regulation policies, education programmes, cessation support services and community programmes. It should be sufficiently extensive and sustained to have a reasonable chance of success.

The guidance complements and supports a range of NICE publications on how to help people to stop smoking. Topics covered include: services in primary care, pharmacies, local authorities and workplaces, particularly for manual working groups, pregnant women and hard to reach communities; and the use of varenicline. NICE is also working on guidance specifically for local authorities and NHS primary care services on school-based interventions to prevent the uptake of smoking among children.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• PH14 Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: full guidance
• PH14 Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: full guidance (MS Word format)
• PH14 Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: quick reference guide

For patients, carers and the public

• PH14 Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: quick reference guide

Background information

• New NICE public health guidance on preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: review of effectiveness
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: economic modelling report
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: review of cost effectiveness
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: focus group report
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: fieldwork report
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: NICE letter to DH

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: slide set
• Preventing the uptake of smoking by children and young people: costing template