FROM THE CDC: Factors associated with youth tobacco product use include the following:

• Social and physical environments
  • The way mass media show tobacco product use as a normal activity can make young people want to try these products.
  • Youth are more likely to use tobacco products if they see people their age using these products.
  • High school athletes are more likely to use smokeless tobacco than those of the same age who are not athletes.¹³
  • Young people may be more likely to use tobacco products if a parent uses these products.
• Biological and genetic factors^1,2,12
  • There is evidence that youth may be sensitive to nicotine and that teens can feel dependent on nicotine sooner than adults.
  • Genetic factors may make quitting smoking harder for young people.
  • Smoking during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that the child will smoke cigarettes regularly in the future.
• Mental health: There is a strong relationship between youth smoking and depression, anxiety, and stress.²
• Personal views: When young people expect positive things from smoking, such as coping with stress better or losing weight, they are more likely to smoke.^2,12

• Other influences that affect youth tobacco use include:^2,12,
  • Lower socioeconomic status, including lower income or education
  • Not knowing how to say “no” to tobacco product use
  • Lack of support or involvement from parents
  • Accessibility, availability, and price of tobacco products
  • Doing poorly in school
  • Low self-image or self-esteem
  • Seeing tobacco product advertising in stores, on television, the Internet, in movies, or in magazines and newspapers