Current concepts in adolescent smoking

This review discusses important research findings regarding adolescent tobacco use reported from April 1999 to March 2000. Although the vast majority of adult smokers began before 1 8 years of age, a significant number of college students seem to be initiating smoking behaviors. Recent literature reviews pointed to cultural as well as neurochemical factors that lead to increased tobacco consumption while creating barriers to quitting. Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of cigarette smoking revealed the role that tobacco use plays in coping with cultural, social, and intrapsychic demands. In addition to understanding why and how adolescents initiate and maintain cigarette smoking, recent studies also attempted to uncover the correlates of quitting behavior. However, recent reports of school-based intervention trials revealed that reproducible, long-term success rates may not be achievable with a single program or approach. Finally, several recent studies explored the role that health care providers play in prevention and intervention, as well as the pitfalls of well-meaning office interventions.