School-based tobacco use prevention and cessation: Where are we going?

Objective: To discuss the past, present, and future directions of school-based tobacco use prevention and cessation research. Methods: Discuss the origins of tobacco use prevention research; how prevention research advanced with empirical etiologic work; the genesis of comprehensive social influences programming and its contents; multiple modalities of programming beyond the school setting; and the rebirth of teen cessation programming and the issue of dissemination. Results: There are many avenues of teen tobacco use prevention and cessation research and practice that need continued exploration, particularly regarding effects mediation and teen cessation, Conclusions: This discussion provides a background to assist health behavior researchers and practitioners to move forward in this arena.