DEPRESSION AND SMOKING INITIATION AMONG US LATINOS

We assessed the relationship between depression and smoking initiation among people of Mexican, Puerto Rican and Cuban ancestry residing in specific geographic areas of the United States. Survey data were exami ned to calculate incidence of smoking initiation and prevalences and o dds ratios for ever smoking by presence of depressed mood, a history o f major depression or both conditions. Depressed mood, a history of ma jor depression or both conditions were associated with smoking initiat ion risks during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. These fin dings suggest that the relationship between depressive states and smok ing initiation is established early in life. More definitive studies a re needed to confirm these findings.