Work

Transitions to Regular Smoking and Nicotine Dependence in the Adolescent National Comorbidity Survey (NCS-A)

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of nicotine dependence following the achievement of previous smoking milestones (initiation, weekly, and daily smoking). METHOD: Analyses are based on data from The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent, a nationally representative face-to-face survey of 10,123 adolescents (age 13-17) conducted between 2001 and 2004. RESULTS: Among adolescents who had ever smoked (36.0%), 40.7% reached weekly smoking levels and 32.8% had reached daily smoking. Approximately one in five adolescents who had ever smoked (19.6%) met criteria for nicotine dependence. An earlier age of smoking initiation, a shorter time since the onset of smoking and faster transitions among smoking milestones were independently associated with the onset of daily smoking and nicotine dependence. CONCLUSIONS: These findings shed new light on the course of smoking and nicotine dependence during adolescence by demonstrating a rapid transition across smoking stages for those most at risk for the development of chronic and dependent use.

Source: Annals of Behavioral Medicine

DOI: 10.1007/s12160-011-9330-9

Authors: Lisa Dierker, Joel Swendsen, Jennifer Rose, Jianping He, Kathleen Merikangas

Institution: Wesleyan University

Language: English

Topic: Smoking Behavior and Cessation

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse