Learning Objectives: understand elements of the development of tobacco addiction and its treatment in adolescents
Abstract: The use of tobacco products typically begins in the pre-teen and teen years. It is therefore important to understand the factors that contribute to the uptake of use and the development of addiction. Dr. William Corrigall will chair this panel of researchers who will describe several dimensions of adolescent cigarette smoking. Research has elaborated social and psychological factors that contribute to drug use, including tobacco smoking. Dr. Judith Brook will describe childhood and adolescent predictors of tobacco use in young adults. Not all of the adolescents who try cigarettes proceed to sustained use and addiction. Understanding the factors that influence the progression in smoking is obviously important, and one prominent factor is an individual’s genetic make-up. Dr Gary Swan will address this topic. Dr. Joseph DiFranza will present data showing that in adolescents, symptoms of dependence typically develop rapidly with exposures of only a few cigarettes per week. Difficulty with cessation can occur within weeks of starting. Greater understanding of addiction in adolescent tobacco users, such as described by the first 3 speakers, contributes to the development of a platform for treatment. Dr. Christi Patten will describe approaches available to treat adolescent tobacco users.
DiFranza-DANDY.ppt (307.0 kb)
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