Teens in distress screened for tobacco, not advised to quit

Amid rising rates of psychological distress among U.S. adolescents, a new study published in Pediatrics Open Science reveals a troubling gap in how health professionals address tobacco use among youth. Researchers found that while youth experiencing psychological distress — such as symptoms of anxiety or depression — were significantly more likely to be screened for tobacco use during medical visits, they were not more likely to receive advice to avoid tobacco.