Compared to 12-to-17-year-olds who don't smoke, teenagers who do
are over five times more likely to drink and 13 times more likely
to use marijuana, media reported quoting a US study Wednesday.
Smokers aged 12 to 17 are more likely to drink alcohol than
nonsmokers -- 59 percent compared to 11 percent, the study
found.
Compared to those who never smoked, those who began smoking at
age 12 or younger are more than three times more likely to binge on
alcohol -- 31 percent compared to 9 percent, and nearly seven times
more likely to use other illegal drugs such as heroin and
cocaine.
"These findings sound an alarm for parents, teachers,
pediatricians and others responsible for children's health that
smoking by teens may well signal the fire of alcohol and other drug
abuse and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety
disorders," said Joseph Califano, one of the researchers and head
of Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse.
"We have known for a long time that smoking causes deadly and
crippling cancers and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Now
we see the devastating effects that nicotine can have on the
developing brains of our children and teens."
The study analyzed surveys conducted by the U.S. Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration and other data on youth
smokers.
Teenagers who smoke also have a higher risk of depression and
anxiety disorders. Teens who reported early initiation of smoking
were more likely to experience serious feelings of hopelessness,
depression and worthlessness in the past year.
The study also notes that smoking at a young age is related to
panic attacks, general anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress
disorder.
"The public health case against tobacco for hiking the chances
of damaging our children's developing brains in ways that can
increase their risk of alcohol and other drug abuse and mental
illness is clear," noted Califano, who started the national
anti-smoking campaign in 1978.
"The time has come to curb cigarette advertisements and
promotions by the nicotine pushers and step up campaigns to protect
our nation's children."
(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)