Editing Peer pressure (section)

==== Nicotine use ====
Substance use is likely not attributed to peer pressure alone. Evidence of genetic predispositions for substance use exists<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Prescott|first2=Carol A.|author2-link=Carol Prescott|last3=Myers|first3=John|last4=Neale|first4=Michael C.|author4-link=Michael Neale|date=September 2003|title=The Structure of Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Common Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders in Men and Women|journal=Archives of General Psychiatry|volume=60|issue=9|pages=929–937|doi=10.1001/archpsyc.60.9.929|pmid=12963675|last1=Kendler|first1=Kenneth S.|author1-link=Kenneth Kendler|doi-access=free}}</ref> and some have begun to examine gene x environment interactions for peer influence. In a nationally representative sample, adolescents who had a genetic predisposition were more likely to have close friends who were heavy substance users and were furthermore, more likely to be vulnerable to the adverse influence of these friends.<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Hill|first2=Jennifer E.|last3=Turkheimer|first3=Eric|author3-link=Eric Turkheimer|last4=Emery|first4=Robert E.|author4-link=Robert E. Emery|date=27 March 2008|title=Gene-Environment Correlation and Interaction in Peer Effects on Adolescent Alcohol and Tobacco Use|journal=Behavior Genetics|volume=38|issue=4|pages=339–347|doi=10.1007/s10519-008-9202-7|pmid=18368474|last1=Harden|first1=K. Paige|author1-link=Kathryn Paige Harden|pmc=2898558}}</ref> Results from specific candidate gene studies have been mixed. For instance, in a study of nicotine use Johnson and colleagues found that peer smoking had a lower effect on nicotine dependence for those with the high risk allele (CHRNA5).<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Chen|first2=Li-Shiun|last3=Breslau|first3=Naomi|author-link3=Naomi Breslau |last4=Hatsukami|first4=Dorothy|last5=Robbins|first5=Tania|last6=Saccone|first6=Nancy L.|last7=Grucza|first7=Richard A.|author7-link=Richard Grucza|last8=Bierut|first8=Laura J.|date=November 2010|title=Peer smoking and the nicotinic receptor genes: an examination of genetic and environmental risks for nicotine dependence|journal=Addiction|volume=105|issue=11|pages=2014–2022|doi=10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03074.x|last1=Johnson|first1=Eric O.|pmid=20840187|pmc=2970633}}</ref> This suggests that social contexts do not play a significant role in substance use initiation and maintenance and that interventions for these individuals should be developed with genetics in mind as well

While tobacco is one of the most widespread forms of nicotine, it is not the only form of nicotine adolescents use. E-cigarette use is on the rise, and over the course of four years, vaporizer use increased ninefold among adolescents.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal |last1=Henneberger |first1=Angela K. |last2=Mushonga |first2=Dawnsha R. |last3=Preston |first3=Alison M. |date=2021-03-01 |title=Peer Influence and Adolescent Substance Use: A Systematic Review of Dynamic Social Network Research |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40894-019-00130-0 |journal=Adolescent Research Review |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=57–73 |doi=10.1007/s40894-019-00130-0 |issn=2363-8354}}</ref> In the United States, youths are commonly introduced to e-cigarettes and vaporizers in their middle and high-school years; almost 6% of students in this age group reported use of some form of e-cigarettes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CDC |date=2024-10-17 |title=E-Cigarette Use Among Youth |url=https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Smoking and Tobacco Use |language=en-us}}</ref> The mechanisms behind why adolescents adhere to vaping largely relate to social psychology topics such as conformity and acceptance within social groups. Conformity and acceptance can be associated with several factors which are personality and habit-based. Some of the most often cited criteria include a need to belong, alleviation of emotional or physical pain, and curiosity.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |last1=Guerra Castillo |first1=Claudia |last2=Hoeft |first2=Kristin S. |last3=Couch |first3=Elizabeth T. |last4=Halpern-Felsher |first4=Bonnie |last5=Chaffee |first5=Benjamin W. |date=2024-08-27 |title=Adolescent Perspectives on Their E-Cigarette Initiation Experiences |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39189439/ |journal=American Journal of Health Promotion |pages=8901171241277669 |doi=10.1177/08901171241277669 |issn=2168-6602 |pmid=39189439|doi-access=free |pmc=11662507 }}</ref> The onset and continued use of electronic cigarette products are considered normative behaviors within certain social groups,<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Skinner |first1=Ann T. |last2=Golonka |first2=Megan |last3=Godwin |first3=Jennifer |last4=Kwiatek |first4=Sarah |last5=Sweitzer |first5=Maggie |last6=Hoyle |first6=Rick H. |date=2024-12-01 |title=My friends made me do it: Peer influences and different types of vaping in adolescence |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306460324001771 |journal=Addictive Behaviors |volume=159 |pages=108128 |doi=10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108128 |issn=0306-4603 |pmc=11480947 |pmid=39173423 |pmc-embargo-date=December 1, 2025 |access-date=December 1, 2024 |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909145028/https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0306460324001771 |url-status=live }}</ref> and through behavioral modifications to fit the norms, adolescents and adults gain acceptance and approval from their peers. Additionally, nicotine abuse through social contexts can be traced to individuals and locations where people feel most comfortable. The sites of initiation, or the first location a substance is taken, are most often locations such as schools and homes<ref name=":11" /> These locations are familiar spaces for individuals and tend to have low risk of consequences.