Toward a Determination of Adolescent Age-Graded Differences in Predictors of Cigarette Initiation (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Cigarette smoking by people of all ages is an issue that warrants monitoring; however, smoking among youth should be approached with considerably more concern. Although a statistically normative behavior, the initiation and use of cigarettes during adolescence can carry high human costs. The human brain, which generally reaches maturity when individuals reach their 20s (Giedd, 2004), still is developing throughout the teen years. Adolescents who continue smoking cigarettes not only are exposed to toxic chemicals at a time in which their brains are growing, but patterned use can lead to homeostasis and nicotine tolerance at a relatively early age (Belluzi, Wang, & Leslie, 2005). These physiological processes taking place in the developing brain subject adolescents to significant risk for nicotine addiction, particularly long-term dependence that extends into the adult years, and elevated risks for cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, and premature death (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004). Among adults, smokers die 14 years earlier, on average, than nonsmokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008).