Teenagers who smoke may have brain tissue that makes them more inclined to start
A study at the University of Cambridgeshire found grey matter can influence smokers
Under-age smokers may have different brain tissue than those who do not according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge.
The findings indicate that levels of grey matter - the brain tissue that processes information - in two parts of the brain may be linked to a desire to start smoking during adolescence and the strengthening of nicotine addiction.
Researchers say that any way of identifying who is more likely to develop a smoking habit could help save millions of lives.
A team of scientists, led by the universities of Cambridge and Warwick in the UK and Fudan University in China, analysed brain imaging and behavioural data of more than 800 young people at the ages of 14, 19 and 23.
On average, teenagers who started smoking by the time they were 14 had markedly less grey matter in a section of the left frontal lobe linked to decision-making and rule-breaking.
Professor Trevor Robbins, co-senior author from Cambridge'sDepartment of Psychology, said: "Smoking is perhaps the most common addictive behaviour in the world, and a leading cause of adult mortality.
"The initiation of a smoking habit is most likely to occur during adolescence.
"Any way of detecting an increased chance of this, so we can target interventions, could help save millions of lives."
He added: "In our study, reduced grey matter in the left prefrontal cortex is associated with increased rule-breaking behaviour as well as early smoking experiences.
"It could be that this rule-breaking leads to the violation of anti-smoking norms."