​Adolescent nicotine use continues to be a significant public health problem. This study examines the relationship between the age of youth reporting current smoking and concurrent risk and protective factors in a large state-wide sample. Using 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the authors analyzed current smoking, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic factors among adolescents, ages 12–17 years.

Findings: Consistent with previous work, Latinos, girls, those whose family incomes were below the poverty level, and those with fair-poor health were more likely to display depressive symptoms. Males, whites, older teens and those in fair-poor health were more likely to be current smokers. At ages 12–14 years, the probability of depressive symptoms was estimated to be four times greater among adolescents who currently smoked, compared to those who were not current smokers. The likelihood of depressive symptoms associated with current smoking decreases with age and becomes non-significant by 17 years.

Interventions to reduce smoking may be most useful among youth prior to age 12 years and must be targeted at multiple risks (e.g. smoking and depression).