Publication:

Harnessing school social capital to curb adolescent tobacco use

Tobacco use during adolescence remains a global public health concern, with initiation often beginning between 13 and 15 years of age. In India, approximately 14.6% of adolescents are current users, with smokeless forms such as gutkha, kharra, and bidis presenting additional challenges. If current trends persist, nearly 250 million children alive today may die prematurely from tobacco-related diseases. Schools, where adolescents spend most of their waking hours, are critical settings for shaping health behaviors. School social capital defined as the trust, networks, cooperation, and shared norms within a school community serves as a protective factor against tobacco initiation and can foster cessation. This narrative review synthesizes global and Indian evidence on the relationship between school social capital and adolescent tobacco use, highlighting strategies such as peer mentoring, teacher–student trust, parental engagement, and culturally sensitive interventions in rural and tribal settings. Strengthening school social capital fosters resilience, enhances school climate, and deters risky behaviors. Integrating this approach within school-based health promotion and tobacco control policies can contribute to building tobacco-free generations.