Socioecological Models: Strengthening Intervention Research in Tobacco Control

Abstract

Some aspects of the tobacco control field have been informed by a broader conceptualization of the complex factors that determine population health. Tobacco control programs increasingly include multi-level interventions and policy changes to influence context. Further, socioecological concepts (e.g., strategies targeting intrapersonal, interpersonal and socioenvironmental interactions) are implicit in many comprehensive tobacco reduction policies. In contrast, tobacco intervention research lags behind this progression, with individual level strategies continuing to dominate the research agenda. New research methods are suggested to strengthen intervention research in tobacco prevention and cessation. Developmental transitions are briefly explored to consider the impact of developmental vulnerability and resiliency on youth tobacco use, providing an expanded focus and new opportunities for interven-