Development of symptoms of tobacco dependence in youths: 30 month follow up data from the DANDY study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a minimum duration, frequency or quantity of tobacco use required to develop symptoms of dependence.


METHODS
A retrospective/prospective longitudinal study of the natural history of tobacco dependence employing individual interviews conducted three times annually in two urban school systems over 30 months. Detailed histories of tobacco use were obtained including dates, duration, frequency, quantity, patterns of use, types of tobacco, and symptoms of dependence.


METHODS
A cohort of 679 seventh grade students (age 12-13 years).


METHODS
The report of any of 11 symptoms of dependence.


RESULTS
Among 332 subjects who had used tobacco, 40% reported symptoms, with a median latency from the onset of monthly smoking of 21 days for girls and 183 days for boys. The median frequency of use at the onset of symptoms was two cigarettes, one day per week. The report of one or more symptoms predicted continued smoking through the end of follow up (odds ratio (OR) 44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 17 to 114, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms of tobacco dependence commonly develop rapidly after the onset of intermittent smoking, although individuals differ widely in this regard. Girls tend to develop symptoms faster. There does not appear to be a minimum nicotine dose or duration of use as a prerequisite for symptoms to appear. The development of a single symptom strongly predicted continued use, supporting the theory that the loss of autonomy over tobacco use begins with the first symptom of dependence.
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA University of London, London, UK. difranzj@ummhc.org
J R
JR
DiFranza
J A
JA
Savageau
N A
NA
Rigotti
K
K
Fletcher
J K
JK
Ockene
A D
AD
McNeill
M
M
Coleman
C
C
Wood
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009538:Nicotine; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology
D009538:Nicotine