EACH DAY, APPROXIMATELY 3,450 U.S. teens will try their first cigarette; of these teens, 850 will become daily smokers (U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2010). Results of a Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 1994) study revealed that 93% of adults smoked their first cigarette in their teenage years. Ninety-one percent of adults who started smoking in their teens became daily smokers by the age of 20 years. According to survey data from the CDC (2010), a long-term decline in smoking rates among U.S. high school students has leveled off. Thus, the Healthy People (2010) goal to reduce teen smoking to less than 16% was not achieved (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). Today, teen smoking continues to be a public health concern because it impacts not only teens but also the long-term smoking habits of adults. The impetus for health care professionals to develop smoking cessation programs specifically tailored to teens has long-term health benefits. The use of technology has been suggested as one approach to help teen smokers "kick the habit." This article will explore the use of technology to aid teens in smoking cessation.
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