Background: When working with young people it may seem that tobacco is the least of their problems today, but the affects of tobacco use may become their most significant problem in the future.

A first of their kind, the Tobacco Prevention and Management Guidelines for Youth Workers is one initiative that has established the Casey Tobacco Working Group as a leader within the south-east region of Melbourne. The working group comprises key stakeholders from local government, non-governmental, regional and state organisations.

This presentation will provide an overview of the development and dissemination of the guidelines that aim to change the way in which youth workers prioritise and approach tobacco control.

Discussion: The guidelines aim to help youth workers extend their skills, knowledge and practice when dealing with the tobacco issues of the young people they serve. By using the guidelines workers may be more able to create and support a smokefree policy, discourage young people from smoking, and encourage and support a young person who smokes towards reducing or quitting smoking.

The self-directive guidelines provide youth service workers with a framework for thinking about and questioning how to progress and place tobacco use on their organisation's agenda.

Conclusion: Evaluation of the project within two local government areas shows that youth workers are positive about the guidelines and find them relevant and useful. The working group is identifying future opportunities for effectively reaching young smokers.