A new study suggests that teens can become dependent on cigarettes within just a few days of trying them, and that even infrequent smoking can lead to nicotine addiction. About 40% of those in the study who tried cigarettes and began to smoke them every day developed tobacco dependence.

Researchers studied 1246 sixth graders over a four-year period. The average age of experimenting with cigarettes was 12.8 years, and 217 of the students in the study tried smoking. One of the most surprising results of the study was how quickly some students began to experience cravings for cigarettes – about 10% lost autonomy within two days. This study appears in the July issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Parents can find help and information about teenage drug addiction at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: addictions, cigarettes, smoking