Nicotine dependence and attempts to quit or cut down among young adult smokers

AIMS: To describe tobacco smoking behaviours, attempts to cut down or quit, and estimate the prevalence of DSM-IV nicotine dependence among young adult smokers. To relate these findings to population demand for national Quitline services. METHODS: Confidential interviews were conducted during the assessment of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study birth cohort at age 26 years. Current smokers who had smoked daily for at least one month during the twelve months before interview were asked questions to identify nicotine dependence, based on DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: Overall, 40% (n = 386) of the cohort followed up were current smokers who met the twelve month daily smoking criterion, one third of whom fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence. The mean number of attempts to quit or cut down in the past year was 1.2. Assuming that each attempt represents a potential call to the Quitline, more than 5500 calls per month might be anticipated from the 25-29 year age group and in excess of 40 000 from the total New Zealand population, eighteen years and older. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that many young adult smokers are potential users of smoking cessation services and many are nicotine dependent. In order to satisfy this reservoir of need and reduce the population burden of ill-health and premature death due to tobacco smoking, resources should continue to be provided to support and enhance tobacco control programmes with proven effectiveness in helping smokers to quit.