Children, Adolescents and Young Adults of Affluent Smoking Parents are Susceptible to Nicotine Dependence

Abstract

Background: Smoking is increasing at an alarming rate in developing countries and most of the habitual smokers are reported starting this habit at an early age and this age group constitutes a major part of the population in Pakistan. We want to explore trends related to smoking among children, adolescents and young adults of affluent smoking parents are susceptible to nicotine dependence. It is likely that this genetic risk involves a complex interaction between multiple genes in different biologic pathways. These may include genes involved in the general aspect of dependence (e.g, genes within the dopaminergic system) and those more specific to nicotine dependence (e.g, genes encoding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and nicotine-metabolizing enzymes) Study Design: This was a cross sectional study. Place of Study: Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. Duration of Study: September 2012 to March 2014. Materials and Methods: We distributed a self-reporting questionnaire to 800 medical students at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad related to the smoking trends and its determinants. Results: The prevalence of smoking was 18% and smoking habit.