Tobacco Use Among 13–15 Year Olds in Sri Lanka, 1999–2007

May 23, 2008 / Vol. 57 / No. 20

MMWR Introduction

According to the article, "Tobacco Use among 13–15 Year Olds in Sri Lanka, 1999–2007," parental cigarette smoking and smoking by boys in Sri Lanka experienced a steady decline between 1999 and 2007. The research attributes the decline to evidence-based tobacco control efforts; such as, limiting exposure to both pro-tobacco messages and secondhand smoke. In addition, prohibiting tobacco advertising through national broadcast, local print media, and the Internet, coupled with banning exposure to secondhand smoke in health care, education, and government facilities have also had a demonstrable effect on smoking prevalence and behavior.