Scientists Recommend Banning Cigarette Sales to Individuals Under 22 Following Study Confirming Difficulty in Quitting for Smokers Who Start Before Age 20

Researchers suggest a ban on tobacco product purchases for individuals under 22 years old.

According to scientists, smokers who start the habit before the age of 20 encounter greater difficulty in quitting. They argue that raising the minimum buying age could reduce nicotine dependence.

The study observed 1,382 smokers who sought assistance at a clinic in Kyoto, Japan, for smoking cessation. The patients were divided into two groups based on the age they began smoking: under 20 years and 20 years and older. All participants completed the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, which evaluates the intensity of a smoker’s physical addiction to nicotine.

The questionnaire included inquiries such as ‘how soon after you wake up do you smoke your first cigarette?’ and ‘how many cigarettes per day do you smoke?’. Each response was assigned a score, resulting in a dependency score of low (one-two), low to moderate (three-four), moderate (five-seven), or high (eight or more).

Scientists found smokers who pick up the habit before the age of 20 find it more difficult to quit (Stock Image)

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