Researchers urge governments worldwide to consider raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 22 years or older as a study suggest that as individuals mature, the addictive grip of smoking weakens, making quitting a more achievable feat.
THE GLOBAL STRUGGLE WITH TOBACCO USE
Tobacco’s destructive legacy looms large, claiming up to half of its users. With over a fifth of the global population using tobacco in 2020, the imperative to address this menace is undeniable. Particularly concerning is the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease among smokers under 50 years old, a five-fold increase compared to non-smokers. In many nations, the legal age to purchase tobacco stands at 18 years, but there exists a lack of age restrictions in some regions.
A GLIMPSE INTO SMOKING INITIATION
The research, conducted among participants of a smoking cessation clinic in Japan, delves into the intricate relationship between smoking initiation age, nicotine dependence, and the ability to quit. The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence was utilized, encompassing questions about smoking habits and behaviours. Participants were categorized into two groups based on when they started smoking – below 20 years old or 20 years and older, with the latter being Japan’s legal smoking age.
EARLY STARTERS: A GREATER BATTLE
Early starters, those who ignited their smoking journey before turning 20, grappled with higher nicotine dependency. These individuals reported consuming more cigarettes per day and exhibited elevated carbon monoxide levels in their breath. The Fagerström test scores echoed this struggle, confirming the higher dependency among early starters. A mere 46% of early starters successfully quit smoking, compared to 56% of late starters (those who began smoking at 20 or older).
A PROMISING AGE THRESHOLD
Further analysis divided participants into groups based on their age of smoking initiation: 17 years or less, 18 to 19, 20 to 21, and 22 or older. The results revealed a consistent trend – as age of initiation increased, nicotine dependence diminished. This highlights a critical threshold at age 22, beyond which the grip of addiction seems to weaken significantly.
A PATHWAY TO IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH
Dr. Koji Hasegawa, the study’s lead author from the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, underscores the implications of the findings. Dr. Hasegawa emphasizes that the study suggests a higher legal age for purchasing tobacco could substantially reduce nicotine addiction rates and, subsequently, mitigate the adverse health impacts associated with smoking. By paving the way for regulations that align with the age-related decline in addiction, governments could take a significant step toward a healthier future.
As the battle against smoking rages on, this study offers not just insights, but a potential solution to break the chains of addiction and alleviate the burden on global public health systems.
