abstract
This technical report serves to provide the evidence base for the American
Academy of Pediatrics’ policy statements “Clinical Practice Policy to Protect
Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke” and “Public Policy to
Protect Children From Tobacco, Nicotine, and Tobacco Smoke.” Tobacco use
and involuntary exposure are major preventable causes of morbidity and
premature mortality in adults and children. Tobacco dependence almost
always starts in childhood or adolescence. Electronic nicotine delivery systems
are rapidly gaining popularity among youth, and their significant harms are
being documented. In utero tobacco smoke exposure, in addition to increasing
the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, placental abruption, and
sudden infant death, has been found to increase the risk of obesity and
neurodevelopmental disorders. Actions by pediatricians can help to reduce
children’s risk of developing tobacco dependence and reduce children’s
involuntary tobacco smoke exposure. Public policy actions to protect children
from tobacco are essential to reduce the toll that the tobacco epidemic takes
on our children.