Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms predict nicotine dependence and progression to regular smoking from adolescence to young adulthood

Objective To examine the association between retrospectively reported attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and progression to smoking and the association with nicotine dependence. Methods Study sample consisted of a nationally representative cohort of U. S. adolescents (n = 13,494). Logistic regression was used to examine ADHD symptoms from both the inattentive (IN) and hyperactive-impulsive (HI) domains and smoking trajectories. Linear regression was used to examine nicotine dependence. Results HI symptoms were associated with progression from nonsmoking to regular smoking (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07-1.21), and with progression from experimentation to regular smoking (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.08-1.26). IN and HI symptoms were associated with nicotine dependence among current smokers (IN: beta = 0.17, SE = 0.03, p< 0.0001; HI: beta = 0.10, SE = 0.04., p<. 001). Conclusions These results have important implications for the development of prevention and treatment modalities.