Twin studies show a large genetic influence on smoking initiation and adoption studies demostrate that ever smoking, current smoking and heavy smoking is related to smoking behavior of their biologic full siblings.
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Genetics and Smoking Initiation
Genetic Factors Play a Large Role in Smoking InitiationThe liability to initiating smoking results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors where genetic factors are prominent. In the transition from smoking initiation to smoking dependence genetic factors are even more prominent.(Constructed from data in Sullivan, P.F. and Kendler, K.S. et al. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 1: 551 - 557, 1999) ©2011 NBEP
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Adoption studies demonstrate a clear effect of genetics on smoking behaviors.
Smoking Behavior in Adoptees
Smoking Behavior in Adoptees Is Related to the Smoking Behavior of Their Biologic Full SiblingsData is from 840 adoptive families from the Danish Adoption Register that included all non-familial adoptions from 1924 through 1947, and 90% were adopted during the first year of life. Smoking status was obtained from mailed questionnaires sent to adoptees, their biological siblings, and their adoptive and biological parents. Smoking behavior was categorized as: ever smoking (yes, no), current smoking (yes, no) and heavy smoking (over 15 grams of tobacco/day). Biological and adoptive parents only responded to whether or not they were current smokers while the adoptees were in school. Adoptees ever smoking was related to ever smoking in full siblings and adoptees current smoking was related to ever smoking and current smoking in full siblings. Adoptees smoking behavior did not relate to current smoking in adoptive or biological parents. This provides additional strong evidence for the role of genetic factors in smoking behavior.(Constructed from data in Osler, M. et al. Genetic Epidemiology, 21: 193 - 200, 2001) ©2011 NBEP
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