The study by researchers at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Ill., found that a few simple questions in the doctor's office could identify teen smokers before they become addicted. In addition,researchers said, a urine test could determine which teen patients are regular smokers and which are just experimenting.

The study of 124 high-school students who completed the questionnaire on smoking revealed that 92 percent were regular smokers. In addition, the questionnaire found that teens generally start smoking or experimenting with cigarettes at age 12 or 13.

While some of the students said a friend started them on smoking, 85 percent of regular smokers said they had a family member who smoked.

"Though the primary causes of smoking remain social, and nicotine addiction is difficult to treat, physicians remain the most trusted carriers of the anti-smoking message," the report stated.

The study is published in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

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