( StatePoint ) Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and it almost always begins during adolescence . According to leading medical advocates , pediatricians have a role to play in getting kids to quit vaping electronic cigarettes and using other tobacco products .

Ten percent of American students report using tobacco products , according to the FDA . And while there have been declines in the use of cigarettes among adolescents , the popularity of e-cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco and nicotine products is on the

rise . Smoking and vaping are both harmful to health , particularly to youth , whose brains are still developing and who are uniquely vulnerable to nicotine dependence .

That ’ s why the American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) has developed the Youth Tobacco Cessation Progressive Web App . This new , free clinical decision resource , which can be used on a computer , tablet or offline mobile app , leads physicians through the following steps :

1 . Ask : Screen for tobacco use with all youth , during every clinical encounter .

2 . Counsel : Advise all youth who use tobacco to quit and have them set a quit date within two weeks .

3 . Treat : Link adolescents to behavioral treatment extenders and prescribe pharmacologic support when indicated . After the visit , follow up to assess progress and offer support .

The web app also provides a flowchart for clinical interactions , links to product descriptions , an AAP policy and clinical report , sample counseling statements , behavioral support options , such as texting services , quitlines and online resources , and detailed information on pharmacologic support ,

including nicotine replacement therapy .

There is currently little data on successful youth tobacco treatment strategies . In the meantime , clinicians can leverage existing literature and promising practices to support tobacco cessation in young people . To learn more and to access the Youth Tobacco Cessation Progressive Web App , visit aap . org / HelpKidsQuit .

Tobacco use and nicotine dependence are significant health concerns . Pediatricians can use their vital , trusted role as a source of expertise , support and guidance to provide teens with confidential tobacco cessation care .