Adults with ADHD have increased physical dependence on smoking

Article Outline

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In this issue of The Journal, Wilens et al from Harvard Medical School have investigated the relationship between ADHD in young adults and cigarette smoking severity. The results show that both male and female smokers with ADHD demonstrate more severe physical dependence on tobacco compared with controls. Environmental factors such as friends who are smoking, peer smoking, and living with smokers all increase the risk for smoking in youth with ADHD, more than in controls. This is an important issue, given the high prevalence of ADHD, and prevention and early intervention strategies should be developed. More detailed studies of the underlying neurobiology would also be of value.