Increasingly, tobacco companies market their products through promotional activities that reach youth. Misleading Images in Tobacco Advertising Ads for tobacco products have become short on words and facts - and long on visual images that suggest positive associations. These attractive pictures suggest that smoking is a powerful tool for improving self-image. Young people with low self-esteem are particularly receptive to this message. The pervasiveness of cigarette advertising may suggest that smoking is more common than it really is.
Young people are far more likely than adults to greatly over-estimate the prevalence of smoking.
Such programmes are even more successful when they are support in the adolescent's home and community. Strongly enforced laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco to young people. Policies in the school, workplace and community that restrict smoking. Most Americans strongly favour policies that might prevent tobacco use among youth. Males are much more likely than females to use smokeless tobacco.