Onset of Regular Smoking Before Age 21 and Subsequent Nicotine Dependence and Cessation Behavior Among US Adult Smokers

Source:

Ali FRM, Agaku IT, Sharapova SR, Reimels EA, Homa DM. Onset of Regular Smoking Before Age 21 and Subsequent Nicotine Dependence and Cessation Behavior Among US Adult Smokers. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:190176. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.190176external icon
 

Summary

What is already known on this topic?

Raising the minimum legal age for tobacco sales to 21 years (“T21”) is a promising strategy to reduce tobacco use among youth.

What is added by this report?

Adult smokers who started smoking regularly at age 18 to 20 years were more likely to experience high levels of nicotine dependence and less likely to attempt or intend to quit in adulthood compared with those who started at age 21 or older.

What are the implications for public health practice?

As part of a comprehensive tobacco control approach, T21 policy could help prevent lifetime addiction to nicotine and promote smoking cessation later in life.

Abstract

This study assessed the association of regular smoking initiation before age 21 years with nicotine dependence and cessation behaviors among US adult smokers. Data came from the 2014–2015 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. We found that onset of regular smoking at age 18 to 20 years was associated with higher odds of nicotine dependence and lower odds of attempting and intending to quit. These outcomes were observed with regular smoking initiation at age 18 to 20 as well as before age 18, suggesting that efforts to prevent access to tobacco products before age 21 could reduce nicotine addiction and promote cessation later in life.