title: Longitudinal examination of predictors of smoking cessation in a national sample of U.S. adolescent and young adult smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To better inform the development of smoking cessation programs for adolescents and young adults, a prospective study was employed to systematically examine behavioral, demographic, health, and psychosocial determinants of smoking cessation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2003-2005 National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey were used. Of 2,582 smokers aged 16-24 years sampled, 1,354 provided complete baseline telephone interview data on the study variables, and their self-reported smoking status at 2-year follow-up was known (currently smoking vs. not smoking). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to examine independent predictors of smoking status (outcome variable) at the 2-year follow-up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four of 5 participants remained smokers after 2 years. Of the high nicotine dependence smokers, 90% remained smokers at follow-up; of the low nicotine dependence smokers, 77% remained smokers at follow-up. Higher nicotine dependence smokers started smoking earlier in life (13.2 vs. 14.3 years; p < .05). Similarly, those not smoking at the 2-year follow-up period started smoking later in life than those still smoking (14.5 vs. 13.7 years). Along with nicotine dependence, various psychosocial and demographic variables at baseline predicted smoking status at the 2-year follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identifiable demographic and psychosocial factors influence smoking behavior among U.S. adolescents and young adults. Even low nicotine dependence is a strong predictor of follow-up smoking behavior. This, coupled with the early smoking age of high nicotine dependence smokers, underscores the importance of early nicotine avoidance among youth.
authors: Department of Respiratory Therapy, Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY;
authors: Jerome F
authors: JF
authors: Walker
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Loprinzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult