Cigarette use during adolescence: Effects on nutritional status

Despite numerous anti-tobacco campaigns, smoking among adolescents continue s to be a predominant public health issue. This report details the interrel ationships between adolescence, smoking, and nutrition and health. Current data indicate that most smokers become nicotine-dependent as adolescents, w hich places them at risk for chronic diseases associated with continuous ox idative damage. Additionally, nicotine has antidepressant and hypermetaboli c effects, which may be of particular importance during adolescence because nicotine use leads to increased dependence on tobacco, contributes to diff iculty in smoking cessation, and promotes weight gain following smoking ces sation.