For women, the genetic element of their vulnerability to smoking has increased in importance as society's once-strong taboos against tobacco use by women have diminished. The study found that women born prior to 1925 had lower rates of tobacco use, mainly because of environmental factors.

Among women born since 1940, the inheritability of tobacco use was found to be 63 percent, the same as in men.

For men, the patterns of tobacco use suggest genetic and environmental factors account, respectively, for 61 percent and 20 percent of the differences in individuals in their risk for becoming regular users of tobacco.

The study was conducted by Dr. Kenneth S. Kendler of the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) and researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.

The study is published in the September 2000 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

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