Patterns of adolescent smoking and later nicotine dependence in young adults: a 10-year prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
There is considerable variability in progression from smoking initiation to established smoking. This paper addresses the extent to which different patterns of adolescent smoking, including periods of cessation, predict smoking status in young adults.


METHODS
Ten-year, eight-wave prospective cohort study of a state-wide community sample in Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
Participants were 1520 students from 44 secondary schools, initially aged 14 to 15 years. Adolescent smoking and quitting patterns were assessed during Waves 1-6 with self-reported frequency of use and a 7-day retrospective diary. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (ND) was used to assess ND at the age of 24 years (Wave 8).


RESULTS
The prevalence of ND in young adults was 16.9% for all adolescent smokers, with prevalence rates of 6.8% and 26.7% for adolescent non-daily and daily adolescent smokers, respectively. Maximum smoking levels, onset of daily smoking, duration of smoking, escalation time and duration of cessation during adolescence predicted later ND. Daily smokers who ceased smoking for at least two waves (> or = 12 months) had a level of risk similar to adolescents who had never smoked.


CONCLUSIONS
Quitting smoking as an adolescent substantially alters the risk for later ND. For adolescents who become daily smokers, quitting for 12 months should be the aim in tobacco control and clinical interventions.
Van De Ven
M O M
MO
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. M.vandeVen@pwo.ru.nl
Greenwood
P A
PA
Engels
R C M E
RC
Olsson
C A
CA
Patton
G C
GC
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017668:Age of Onset; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult