Whatever the tobacco companies now claim, the history in their documents reveals the truth. These companies weren't just mildly interested in children, they had an all encompassing fascination with the pubescent psyche. Their marketing departments examined the psychology of youth in great detail with an eye towards finding out what causes children to enter into nicotine addiction in the first place, but even more importantly what causes them to select a first brand, knowing that the brand they select is the one they are likely to stay with for years to come.
Women tend to begin smoking at a slightly older age.