At what age do most individuals typically develop tobacco use disorder?

The age at which most individuals typically develop tobacco use disorder is often identified as before 21. This is rooted in research that highlights a significant correlation between early initiation of tobacco use and developing a dependency later in life. Many teenagers begin experimenting with tobacco in their teenage years, and the likelihood of progressing to regular use increases markedly during this time.

Early exposure to tobacco, combined with various social, psychological, and environmental factors, can lead to the establishment of nicotine dependence before individuals reach adulthood. This is significant for prevention and intervention strategies targeting youth since the younger someone starts using tobacco, the higher the odds of developing a problematic relationship with it.

While some users may develop a disorder at legal age or after, the peak age for the onset of tobacco use disorder is indeed generally recognized as being before 21, aligning with the behavioral patterns observed in studies and surveillance data on tobacco use among young people.