Exploring gender differences in tobacco dependence among adolescents

It is increasingly recognised that tobacco dependence begins in adolescence and many adolescent smokers are addicted to nicotine. Youth become unwittingly trapped by their smoking and often are unable to stop. There is evidence that the experience of tobacco dependence may differ for girls and boys. Tools are required to help youth and health professionals recognize the early signs of tobacco dependence. Over the past four years we have investigated the nature of tobacco dependence experienced by adolescents. This work has led to the development of an emerging theory that outlines dimensions of tobacco dependence. Based on this work we developed an initial 54-item measure, the Dimensions of Tobacco Dependence Scale (DTDS). In the proposed study we plan to extend our research on tobacco dependence in adolescents by confirming the dimensions of the DTDS and by determining the ways in which gender and format (web based versus paper and pencil) effects the measurement structure. Data will be collected from 1000 adolescent smokers residing in Northern British Colombia. This study will make an important contribution to our understanding of tobacco dependence and will move us toward the development of an instrument that can be used to help adolescents to recognise the early signs of tobacco dependence.