In this paper, we compare the pattern of nicotine withdrawal symptoms and heritability estimates across adolescent and adult smokers from population-based epidemiologic twin samples, and test for differential associations between nicotine withdrawal and difficulty quitting, cigarette smoking persistence, seeking cessation treatment, and impairment due to withdrawal. We also examine associations with measures of psychopathology. Our research questions include the following: 1) Do patterns of nicotine withdrawal symptoms differ across adult and adolescent male and female twins? 2) Are associations between cigarette use behaviors (e.g., difficulty quitting, smoking persistence, seeking cessation treatment) and nicotine withdrawal consistent across adult and adolescent male and female smokers? 3) Are associations between psychopathology (e.g., major depression) and nicotine withdrawal symptoms consistent across adult and adolescent male and female smokers? 4) Does heritability of nicotine withdrawal differ across these adult and adolescent twins?
