Cigarette Smoking and Nicotine Dependence in Adolescence

Despite declines in adolescent cigarette smoking prevalence, rates remain high, with approximately 11% of high school seniors reporting current cigarette smoking. Moreover, use of other tobacco products has soared, with prevalence of electronic cigarettes and little cigars exceeding that of cigarettes. The present chapter reviews patterns of adolescent cigarette use, other tobacco use, adolescent nicotine dependence, factors associated with the etiology of cigarette smoking, and smoking cessation. Despite decades of research on adolescent smoking cessation, the development and progression of nicotine dependence are just beginning to be understood. Similarly, little is known regarding adolescent smoking cessation. Significant progress has been made in addressing and preventing adolescent cigarette use. However, critical gaps exist in the current knowledge base that must be addressed in order to improve efforts at halting the progression of adolescent nicotine dependence and enhancing interventions for smoking cessation.