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ADHD Symptoms Linked to Higher Risk of Teen Nicotine Use
Those showing symptoms of ADHD are more likely to smoke: Study
Context: A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found a strong correlation between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and nicotine/tobacco use among teenagers.
Research Insights
- The study was led by Sean Esteban McCabe, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, and is based on data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.
- Over a nine-year period, researchers surveyed 13,572 American adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, gathering annual data on tobacco use and behavioural indicators — including typical ADHD symptoms.
Key Findings
- Teens exhibiting three or more ADHD symptoms have significantly higher odds of using nicotine and tobacco products.
- Those with asymptomatic ADHD (minimal noticeable symptoms) showed no significant difference in nicotine/tobacco use compared to the control group.
- ADHD symptoms include:
- Trouble paying attention
- Impulsivity
- Overactivity
- The findings revealed a clear pattern: the greater the number of ADHD symptoms reported, the higher the risk of nicotine use. Teens reporting three or four ADHD symptoms were 60% more likely to vape compared to those without ADHD symptoms.
Nicotine as a Form of Self-Medication?
- The study’s findings support the idea that individuals with ADHD may be using nicotine to self-medicate. Nicotine is known to briefly enhance focus by triggering the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, making it particularly appealing to those who struggle with attention and impulse control.
- This behaviour adds to a growing body of research linking nicotine use with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, emphasising that addiction is often deeply tied to psychological and neurological factors.
Public Health Implications
- The study’s implications are especially concerning given nicotine’s well-documented health risks and its addictive nature.
- While traditional cigarette smoking among teens has declined, vaping — often perceived as a safer alternative — has become increasingly popular. However, numerous studies now highlight the harmful effects of vaping, dispelling earlier misconceptions about its safety.
- The key takeaway is clear: parents and caregivers must take ADHD symptoms seriously.
- Early diagnosis and effective therapy can reduce the risk of adolescents turning to nicotine for relief.
- Controlling ADHD through therapy or natural symptom reduction may lower the risk of nicotine use.
- Preventing tobacco use could be a “powerful game changer”, especially for youth with ADHD.
What is ADHD?
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a developmental disorder.
- It involves a persistent pattern of one or more of the following symptom categories:
- Inattention: difficulty paying attention, staying on task, or being organised.
- Hyperactivity: frequent movement (even at inappropriate times), restlessness, excessive talking.
- Impulsivity: interrupting others, intruding, difficulty waiting one’s turn.
- These behaviours are common in everyone at times, but in individuals with ADHD:
- The behaviours occur frequently.
- They are present across multiple settings (e.g., school, home, work, social situations).
