Letters to the Editor
Influencing Factors
The authors name as risk factors for nicotine consumption in childhood and adolescence the nicotine consumption of friends, the place of residence, and an education style experienced as relaxed (1).
In September 1965 I interviewed 2484 adolescents aged 10–17 years in the rural district of Düren about their nicotine consumption (2). A parallel survey (n=3924) was conducted by Christa Linn at schools in Hamburg (3).
The proportion of smokers in the city was 42% and in the countryside 43%. In the city, more female students smoked (36%) than in the countryside (21%). 13% of students younger than 14 smoked when none of the parents smoked. If both parents smoked the proportion was 30%. In the city, more female students smoked if their mothers smoked, and in the countryside more male students smoked if only their father smoked. 60% of blue-collar workers’ children were regular smokers (>14 cigarettes per week) before the age of 14, whereas in the upper social class, adolescents smoked regularly only after the age of 15.
Future surveys should also include consumption of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0028
Dr. med. Erika JK. Rosenthal (geb. Reinecke)
Frankfurt am Main
erika-rosenthal@online.de
Conflict of interest statement
The author declares that no conflict of interest exists.
| 1. | Hanewinkel R, Hansen J: Trends in and risk factors for nicotine consumption in childhood and adolescence—findings of the “Prevention Radar,” a survey study in German schools, 2016–2024. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2024; 121: 779–80 VOLLTEXT CrossRef MEDLINE |
| 2. | Reinecke E: Statistische Erhebung über die Verbreitung des Rauchens bei Schülern und Schülerinnen aus dem Landkreis Düren. Dissertation Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Hamburg 1967. |
| 3. | von Harnack GA, Linn Ch, Reinecke E: Über die Verbreitung des Rauchens bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1967; 92: 329–34 CrossRef |
