Depressive Symptoms and Smoking Cessation Among Adolescents and Young Adults Who Smoke: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Hong Chen; Tzu Tsun Luk; Annie On Ni Yip; Ziqiu Guo; Shengzhi Zhao; Sophia Siu Chee Chan; Tai Hing Lam; Yee Tak Derek Cheung; Man Ping Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2026.06.001

PubMed · 42429698

Depressive Symptoms and Smoking Cessation Among Adolescents and Young Adults Who Smoke: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Hong Chen·Tzu Tsun Luk·Annie On Ni Yip·Ziqiu Guo·Shengzhi Zhao·Sophia Siu Chee Chan·Tai Hing Lam·Yee Tak Derek Cheung·Man Ping Wang

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Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the bidirectional prospective associations between depressive symptoms and smoking cessation among adolescent and young adults who smoke. METHODS: Data on 1,151 participants aged ≤25 years who smoke and receive peer-led quitline counseling in Hong Kong (2016-2022) were analyzed. Exposures included baseline depressive symptoms and smoking cessation (self-reported 7-day abstinence) at 1, 3, and 6 months; Outcome measures included smoking cessation at 1, 3, and 6 months and depressive symptoms at 6 months. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, with a score ≥16 indicating at risk for depression. RESULTS: More severe baseline depressive symptoms were associated with lower odds of smoking cessation at 1, 3, and 6 months, which reversely was associated with lower depressive symptoms at 6 months (all p < .05). Similarly, being at risk for depression at baseline was associated with lower odds of smoking cessation at 1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] .66, 95% confidential interval [CI] .47-.93) and 3 months (aOR .71, 95% CI .52-.97). Conversely, smoking cessation at 1 (aOR .40, 95% CI .23-.69), 3 (aOR .58, 95% CI .37-.92), and 6 months (aOR .44, 95% CI .29-.69) was associated with lower odds of at risk for depression at 6 months. DISCUSSION: More severe depressive symptoms were prospectively associated with lower odds of smoking cessation, while smoking cessation was associated with lower depressive symptoms and risk for depression. Integrated interventions simultaneously addressing psychological needs and smoking are warranted, when delivered in smoking cessation programs or embedded within mental health services for youth who smoke.

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Humans Smoking Cessation Adolescent Depression Prospective Studies Hong Kong Female Young Adult Male Smoking Counseling Adolescents Depressive symptoms Quitlines Smoking cessation Young adults Youths Journal Article

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Hong Chen, Tzu Tsun Luk, Annie On Ni Yip, Ziqiu Guo, Shengzhi Zhao, Sophia Siu Chee Chan, Tai Hing Lam, Yee Tak Derek Cheung, Man Ping Wang. 2026-07-10. Depressive Symptoms and Smoking Cessation Among Adolescents and Young Adults Who Smoke: A Prospective Cohort Study.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2026.06.001

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Journal Article resource Adolescent subject Counseling subject Depression subject Female subject Humans subject Journal Article subject Male subject

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