May 12, 2014 11:18 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Children of parents addicted to nicotine are more likely to become heavy smokers, according to a recent study.

New researcher from scientists at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that parental smoking cessation early in their children's lives is critical to prevent habitual smoking in the next generation.

"It is difficult to dissuade children from smoking if one or both parents are heavily dependent on cigarettes," Darren Mays, the study's lead investigator and an assistant professor of oncology at Georgetown Lombardi, said in a statement. "It is also important for parents who smoke to know that their children may model the behavior, particularly if a parent is nicotine dependent."

Nicotine dependence is characterized by strong cravings to smoke, needing more nicotine to feel the same effects and feeling discomfort (withdrawal) without the drug, Mays said.

The study is a continuation of research Niaura began as a professor at Brown University, where he co-led the New England Family Study (NEFS).

Researchers collected data from more than 400 parents and their participating adolescent children ages 12 to 17 (second and third generations of NEFS participants). They were interviewed at the beginning of the study with the children interviewed two more times, one year and then five years later.

Based on their findings, the more years a child was exposed to a parent's nicotine dependent smoking, the greater the risk that an adolescent would begin smoking or experimenting with cigarettes.

"We believe social learning plays an important role in intergenerational smoking," Mays said. "If social learning is key, then children can also learn from a parent who smokes that it is possible - and wise - to quit."

The findings were recently published in the journal Pediatrics.

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