Abstract

) Little is known about the process by which nicotine dependence develops among adolescent tobacco users. This project will follow a cohort of 650 7th grade students over a period of three and one half years. These subjects will be interviewed every four months during this period about their experiences with tobacco. The tobacco use of these subjects will be monitored in detail with specific attention to the duration of use, the frequency of use and the amount of tobacco consumed. Subjects will be monitored for the development of symptoms of nicotine dependence. The following specific hypotheses will be addressed: 1) Symptoms of nicotine dependence can appear within two months of the first use of tobacco. 2) Symptoms of nicotine dependence can be present when consumption averages less than one cigarette per day. 3) Youths can develop symptoms of nicotine dependence prior to the onset of the daily use of tobacco. 4) The inability to refrain from smoking where it is prohibited will not be an early symptom of dependence.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA077067-02
Application #
2748982
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-RLB-Y (O4))
Program Officer
Backinger, Cathy L
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2001-07-31
Budget Start
1998-08-01
Budget End
1999-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Family Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
660735098
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655

  Publications

Wellman, R J; DiFranza, J R; Savageau, J A et al. (2004) Short term patterns of early smoking acquisition. Tob Control 13:251-7
DiFranza, Joseph R; Savageau, Judith A; Fletcher, Kenneth et al. (2004) Recollections and repercussions of the first inhaled cigarette. Addict Behav 29:261-72
Soteriades, Elpidoforos S; DiFranza, Joseph R; Savageau, Judith A et al. (2003) Symptoms of nicotine dependence and other predictors of student smoking at school: implications for school smoking policy. J Sch Health 73:154-8
DiFranza, Joseph R; Savageau, Judith A; Fletcher, Kenneth et al. (2002) Measuring the loss of autonomy over nicotine use in adolescents: the DANDY (Development and Assessment of Nicotine Dependence in Youths) study. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 156:397-403
DiFranza, J R; Savageau, J A; Rigotti, N A et al. (2002) Development of symptoms of tobacco dependence in youths: 30 month follow up data from the DANDY study. Tob Control 11:228-35
DiFranza, J R; Rigotti, N A; McNeill, A D et al. (2000) Initial symptoms of nicotine dependence in adolescents. Tob Control 9:313-9