Why some people smoke and others do not: New perspectives.

Abstract

Because initial reinforcement consequences set the stage for subsequent nicotine use, elucidation of the contribution of environmental and inherited factors is crucial to an understanding of nicotine dependence as well as of individual differences in susceptibility to cigarette smoking. A review of some recent animal research and laboratory studies of smokers and never-smokers suggests that vulnerability to nicotine dependence is related to high initial sensitivity to nicotine and that the development of acute pharmacodynamic tolerance in these individuals--particularly to effects of nicotine that are toxic or aversive--may be an adaptation for protecting homeostasis.

The Pediatrician's Role in Reducing Tobacco Exposure in Children

“…Whether an individual graduates from smoking experimentation to nicotine dependence may be linked to constitutional differences in nicotine sensitivity. 98 However, because the specific physiologic susceptibility to smoke has not been determined, all children should be considered vulnerable to nicotine dependence. The high prevalence of subsequent regular smoking among adolescents who experiment with tobacco emphasizes the importance of preventing all experimental tobacco use.…”

Factors influencing the relationship between socioeconomic status and prenatal smoking.

“…With increased exposure to nicotine in the environment, tolerance increases and the individual becomes highly dependent on nicotine; however, an individual with low sensitivity experiences minimal effects from nicotine. Regardless of exposure this individual will experience little change in reaction resulting in either nonsmoking or at most mild dependence (Pomerleau et al, 1993). Thus, individual sensitivity directly drives dependence regardless of exposure.…”

“…This, in turn, leads to smoking avoidance and results in lower exposure and less opportunity to develop tolerance. An initially decreased sensitive response, in the presence of social and environmental facilitators of smoking, would lead to increased exposure, increased tolerance, and eventual progression to some level of nicotine dependence (Pomerleau et al, 1993). Continued exposure according to the model depends on the level of an individual's sensitivity.…”

“…Whether sensitivity or exposure drives nicotine dependence , individual sensitivity to nicotine varies and diminishes with increased exposure (Pomerleau et al, 1993). Reduction in sensitivity due to exposure or tolerance also varies among individuals (Pomerleau et al).…”

“…Both explain dependence in terms of sensitivity and exposure. The traditional framework is the "exposure model" (Pomerleau, Collins, Shiffman, & Pomerleau, 1993). In this model, continued exposure to nicotine is dependent on the initial sensitivity response.…”