Montreal study. Nicotine dependecy starts at 'low level,' researcher finds
Jump to full article: Montreal Gazette (ca), 2003-02-15
Author: ALLISON LAMPERT / The Gazette
Intro: Teenagers are becoming hooked on nicotine more quickly and at a younger age than previously believed, results from a long-term study of Montreal high school students show.
"It's scary. They're getting addicted at very low levels," study researcher Jennifer O'Loughlin said. "It doesn't take two years for kids to become dependent. We're beginning to talk to 12-year-olds about the (nicotine) patch."
Since 1999, O'Loughlin and her collaborators have been following 1,265 students - smokers and non-smokers - from Grade 7 until now. It's the first time researchers have done such an extensive study on nicotine dependence in children.
She presented the study's preliminary results yesterday to Grade 10 students at Lauren Hill Academy, one of the 10 participating schools. . .
Numbers like these illustrate the failure of smoking prevention programs that presume kids start lighting up because of peer pressure, she said.
"I don't think we understand how and why kids start smoking," O'Loughlin said. "Smoking is a hugely more complex issue than that."
As a result, the study is also looking at possible genetic links to smoking and nicotine dependence. . .
Although reactions to smoking have never been linked conclusively to genetics, that first cigarette produces a different reaction in different people.
Some Lauren Hill students who participated in the study felt light-headed and dizzy from the first puff, while others like Sarah MacLean felt sick.
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