Depression and smoking in the U.S. household population aged 20 and over, 2005-2008

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2005-2008. Adults aged 20 and over with depression were more likely to be cigarette smokers than those without depression. Women with depression had smoking rates similar to men with depression, while women without depression smoked less than men. The percentage of adults who were smokers increased as depression severity increased. Among adult smokers, those with depression smoked more heavily than those without depression. They were more likely to smoke their first cigarette within 5 minutes of awakening and to smoke more than one pack of cigarettes per day. Adults with depression were less likely to quit smoking than those without depression.