Adolescent smokers also become dependent on nicotine.

Most regular smokers are dependent on nicotine, including most adolescent smokers. The frequency of reporting symptoms of nicotine dependence increases as the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases. Even among persons smoking five or fewer cigarettes per day, more than half report at least one indicator of nicotine dependence. Similar patterns are found for young smokers: 80% of young people who smoke five or fewer cigarettes per day report at least one indicator of nicotine dependence.

Giovino GA, Henningfield JE, Tomar SL, Escobedo LG, Slade J. Epidemiology of tobacco use and dependence. Epidemiol Rev. 1995; 17: 48-65.

DiFranza JR, Rigotti NA, McNeill AD, Ockene JK, Savageau JA, St Cyr D, Coleman M. Initial symptoms of nicotine dependence in adolescents. Tob Control. 2000; 9: 313-319.