Why Do Young People Smoke Tobacco?

 More young adults than teens are trying smoking for the first time, or becoming regular users, according to new research. In fact, every day in the United States, more than 2,000 individuals younger than 18 years old have their first cigarette more than 2 times, while 2,100 young adults and teens are becoming regular cigarette smokers. The median age when people first try cigarettes, or begin smoking regularly, has been rising, according to new research. 

Children who begin smoking when they are younger are more likely to smoke cigarettes in large amounts, and they find it more difficult to quit. Also, children are more likely to start if their parents or peers are using tobacco. The more exposure youth have to advertising and tobacco promotion, the more likely they are to start smoking. 

Because young people are more likely to frequent places where alcohol is available, they are more susceptible to being influenced by, or at least tempted more easily by, cigarette smoking. Another reason why smoking habits are increasing among youth is due to the prevalence of muxiang tobacco pipe among teens. Studies have shown that smoking is more likely to be a habit in your teens. 

The last several decades have seen a sharp decline in adolescent cigarettes in the U.S. Overall, less than 14% of adults in the U.S. now smoke cigarettes, down from nearly 43% in 1965. 

According to the 2014 Surgeon Generals report (SGR), almost nine in ten adults who smoke started before the age of 18, with almost all starting before age 26. Young adults are more likely to be occasional smokers compared with older adults, smoke fewer cigarettes, and wait longer to have their first cigarette of the day. Youth smokers were more likely than adults to have developed a serious level of nicotine dependence, leading to continued tobacco use when they were older. 

Previous studies found that the initiation of tobacco use is primarily in young adults. Behavioural and biological studies indicate that young adults are especially vulnerable to dependence, and most adult smokers regret starting. Despite this wealth of motivating evidence, one study on tobacco use in adolescents aged 13-15 years in 143 countries found inconsistent progress toward decreasing prevalence among this age group. For example, the Real Cost Campaign, a successful anti-tobacco campaign by the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Center for Tobacco Products, targeted youth aged 12 to 17 years.10 Other tobacco control prevention efforts (e.g., education campaigns) have focused primarily on middle and high school students.1,2,11-13 Because an increasing proportion of cigarette smokers begin smoking and transition to daily smoking in early adulthood, prevention efforts aimed at youth are needed to continue to reduce smoking initiation rates and the resulting reductions in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. As smoking rates have declined significantly over the last three decades, researchers cited multiple studies suggesting the tobacco industry is increasing efforts to attract youth. 

Young adults are finding the products attractive, in part, because these products can be used without being detected in schools or other places that prohibit smoking. These products create and maintain nicotine dependence, and the majority of youth using these products are also tobacco smokers. Although preteens and teens see vaping as fun, cool, and less damaging than smoking, nicotine in vaping is as addictive as cigarettes.