Rapid Addiction from Early Smoking

Many teenagers and younger children inaccurately believe that experimenting with smoking or even casual
use will not lead to any serious dependency.  In fact, the latest research shows that serious symptoms of
addiction – such as having strong urges to smoke, feeling anxious or irritable, or having unsuccessfully tried
to not smoke – can appear among youths within weeks or only days after occasional smoking first begins.

             The average smoker tries their first cigarette at age 12 and may be a regular smoker by age 14.
Every day, more 3,500 kids try their first cigarette and about 1,000 other kids under 18 years of age become new regular, daily smokers. Almost 90 percent of youths that smoke regularly report seriously strong cravings,
and more than 70 percent of adolescent smokers have already tried and failed to quit smoking.