Despite the systemic and conceptual barriers to effective preventive actions, some progress is beginning to be made in preventing adoption of self-destructive behaviors during adolescence. Application of the concept of psychological inoculation against social environmental factors that influence young people to adopt unhealthy life-styles is showing promise in short-term results of ongoing longitudinal studies. Researchers in pediatrics who are interested in prevention as a means of health promotion should become acquainted with these techniques to provide effective leadership in the field.