AUTHOR=Berrick Jon 

TITLE=Drawing on Adolescent Psychology to Achieve Tobacco-Free Generations

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 43 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2022.1604321

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2022.1604321

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=BACKGROUND
In 2021, the European Union called for creation of a ‘tobacco-free generation’. We consider the means to this end. The persistence of youthful noncompliance with current minimum age laws (leading to widespread subsequent addiction, morbidity and mortality) raises questions whether such laws are truly aligned with adolescent psychology, being associated with both the myth of a ‘right’ age and the ‘forbidden fruit’ trope. Evidence about adolescent behavior – provided by a recent review and meta-analysis of greater youth defiance of under-age laws than whole-of-life laws in the domain of motorcycle helmet usage – reveals weaknesses in minimum age laws. Qualitative findings originally intended for tobacco manufacturers offer confirmatory evidence.
POLICY OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A number of approaches leading to a tobacco ‘end-game’ – and alternative to minimum-age laws – that have been proposed are briefly reviewed. 
CONCLUSIONS
Among the proposals considered, the Tobacco-Free Generation proposal (TFG), which phases out sales on an age cohort basis, seems especially worthy of attention. It has recently been introduced or endorsed by a number of jurisdictions, both local and national.