USPSTF Recommends Interventions to Prevent Youth Smoking, Vaping; San Francisco Bans E-Cigarette Sales

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH

Primary care clinicians should provide education or behavioral counseling to school-aged children and adolescents to help prevent them from starting to use tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), according to a draft recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The grade B recommendation is similar to the group's 2013 guidance except that it's the first time ENDS, including e-cigarettes and hookah pens, have been targeted. Other targeted products include conventional cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, nicotine gels, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco.

Additionally, the USPSTF says there's not enough evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of interventions for tobacco and ENDS cessation in children and adolescents. The I statement is the first time the group has weighed in on smoking cessation in this age group.

In related news, San Francisco on Tuesday banned the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of all e-cigarettes. It's the first U.S. city to pass such a ban.