Epidemiological profile of smoking and nicotine addiction among asthmatic adolescents

•Previous reports have shown that smoking prevalence is higher in asthmatic than in healthy adolescents; however, the smoking-related characteristics and degree of nicotine dependence of adolescents suffering from asthma have not been determined.•According to the data in this study, the percentage of adolescents who smoke and have some degree of nicotine dependence is high among those who suffer from asthma compared with healthy adolescents.•To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows information on the degree of nicotine dependence in asthmatic adolescents.•Our results provide a useful framework for tobacco control efforts aimed at asthmatic adolescents.

ObjectiveDespite the harmful effects of cigarette smoking, this habit in asthmatic adolescents continues to be a health problem worldwide. Our objectives were to determine the epidemiological profile of smoking and the degree of nicotine dependence among asthmatic adolescents.Study designThrough a cross-sectional investigation, 3383 adolescents (13-19 years of age) were studied.MethodsInformation was collected using a previously validated questionnaire. Two study groups of adolescent smokers were formed: one composed of asthmatic adolescents and the other of healthy youths.ResultsAsthmatic adolescents were found to be more likely to smoke (21.6% vs 11.8%) and to have some degree of nicotine dependence compared with healthy adolescents (51.6% vs 48.8%).The most important characteristic of smoking in asthmatic adolescents was found to be an onset before 11 years of age due to curiosity about cigarettes. Asthmatic youths continue smoking because this habit decreases their anxiety and stress. Adolescents know that smoking is addictive and often smoke on waking up in the morning or when they are sick. Yet, these adolescents do not consider smoking to be a problem.ConclusionIn this study, curiosity about cigarettes was the primary reason why asthmatic adolescents smoked for the first time and developed a greater dependence to nicotine compared with healthy adolescents. Moreover, the findings show that many of the factors that favour the development of smoking are preventable, given that they are present in the family and social environment.