The use of nicotine products (tobacco, snus) by the youth is an internationally and nationally significant health risk. Polarisation i.e. the accumulation of habits detrimental to health among specific youth groups is a significant factor behind the formation of inequality in health among different demographic groups.

The youth adopt the attitudes and skills related to nicotine products and health from family, friends and the social and cultural environment. Different choices in experimentation are also related to the youth’s life situation, background factors and resources, which either endanger or protect them.

Results

The project contributes to the cancer prevention and health promotion by applying the Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion Policy into practice in Southwest Finland in the daily lives of the youth who use nicotine products and groups close to them: parents, teachers and recreational coaches/instructors. The project evaluates the policy’s inclusive methods in relation to the longevity of interventions.