Adolescents who are prescribed stimulant medications to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are not as likely to smoke compared to those with ADHD who are not taking treatment medications. The risk is particularly reduced when medication is taken regularly.

The findings of the analysis, which was led by researchers at Duke Medicine, are available in the online version of the journal Pediatrics.

Scott Kollins, senior author, PhD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the Duke ADHD Program, said in a statement, “Given that individuals with ADHD are more likely to smoke, our study supports the use of stimulant treatment to reduce the likelihood of smoking in youth with ADHD.” He continued, “The risk is further lowered when adherence to medication treatment is consistent, presumably since this increases the chances that symptoms are managed effectively.”

ADHD, a common childhood disorder that may continue on through adolescence and adulthood, is characterized by impulsivity, hyperactivity, and trouble paying attention. The most common medications used to treat the condition are stimulant medications such as Vyvanse or Concerta. Other treatment options may include behavioral therapy or a combination of the two.

Stimulant treatment was linked to a reduced risk of subsequent smoking, with a protective effect that was more noticeable in adolescence than in adulthood, in both girls and boys, and in studies where participants received regular treatment that was followed by medical providers.

According to USA Today, Kollins said, “The message is not just that treatment is effective in reducing this risk, but that well-managed and consistent treatment over time is really what’s associated with a lower risk.”