Editor's note: It has been stated by Dr. David Kessler that “adolescents are the gateway through which tobacco addiction enters the population.” Multiple studies have indicated that, while setting the stage for health-related problems later in life, cigarette smoking itself does not leave the young habitué unaffected. The most recent study, by Gold et al.,* al.,* Gold DR, Wang X, Wypij D, Speizer FE, Ware JH, Dockery DW. Effects of cigarette smoking on lung function in adolescent boys and girls. N Engl J Med 1996;335:931-7. determined the sex-specific effects of cigarette smoking on the level and growth of lung function in adolescence, when the majority of the people in the United States who smoke tried their first cigarette. They found that cigarette smoking was associated with evidence of mild airway obstruction and slowed growth of lung function in adolescents. The data also suggested that adolescent girls may be more vulnerable than boys to the effects of smoking on lung function. This is of great concern because it is clear that the smoking rate among teenage girls has risen to the point where they are the major source of new smokers in the United States. The concern regarding nicotine addiction has led Dr. Kessler to label it a “pediatric disease.” Dr. Kessler, himself a pediatrician, has been recognized for addressing the issue of cigarette smoking during his stewardship of the FDA and was the 1996 recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Excellence in Public Service Award for his work. Dr. Kessler has stepped down as commissioner of the FDA. Despite his departure, his stated goal was to reduce the number of new tobacco users by 50% in 7 years. If this goal is to be achieved, it will require increased understanding and a major commitment by pediatric health care providers. Given the special circumstances and the global importance of these issues, we have invited Dr. Kessler and his colleagues to comment on this pediatric disease. We invite your commentary.— W. F. Balistreri