The development of nicotine dependence requires smoking initiation, conversion from experimental to daily use, and finally the development of advanced smoking behaviors (Belsky et al., 2013; Bierut, 2011). Although the majority of adult smokers initiate smoking during adolescence, rates of daily smoking substantially increase during young adulthood (1% at ages 12–17, 12% at ages 18–25, 14% at ages 26 or more) (NSDUH, 2015). Furthermore, among those who report current daily smoking, the proportion of individuals who smoke a pack or more a day also dramatically increases with age (12% at ages 12–17, 23% at ages 18–25, and 33% at ages 26 or more) (NSDUH, 2015). Increasing our knowledge of what factors drive some young adults and not others to transition from initiation to daily smoking and then to advanced smoking behaviors is important for effectively preventing the progression toward nicotine dependence.
