Recent research indicates that teens may develop the signs and symptoms of physical dependence on nicotine prior to becoming daily smokers. 1 Adolescents' patterns of smoking aren't as regular as what is seen in adult smokers, Dr. Hatsukami observes. If teens are in a situation that prohibits smoking, they can go several days without a cigarette. Motivation to Quit Adolescents often need short-term outcomes that demonstrate benefits of quitting smoking. For example, teens who highly value appearance may want to stop smelling like an ashtray or yellowing their teeth.
Cost is another important factor.
The money they save in buying cigarettes could pay for a date at the movies. Some may realize that they're aggravating asthma or other respiratory problems by smoking and want to improve their health. And Dr. Hatsukami points out recent evidence showing that teens are concerned about how secondhand smoke affects those around them. The researchers conducted a telephone survey of 300 smokers and 300 nonsmokers ages 14 through 22, according to a press release from Reuters Medical News. Smokers' knowledge that secondhand smoke harms nonsmokers more than doubled the chances that current smokers would quit.