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Also in favor of a more environmental explanation are the fact that there are certain lifestyle correlatory factors with major depression that have biological implications. A lack of sunlight affects certain individuals more severely, but a lack of light and exercise can cause almost all individuals to feel mildly depressed. In another example, one study of Canadian smokers found a surprisingly high prevalence of major depression amongst current smokers in the general Canadian population, even when controlled for other factors that could have an impact upon the study results, such as gender. This prevalence was especially elevated among smokers in the younger age groups. This may have important public health implications. Specifically, identification of adolescents at risk for smoking may allow more efficient targeting of intensive education resources. Further, effective management of depression in these people may contribute to reduced rates of smoking, a possibility that deserves exploration in future longitudinal studies (Khaled 2009, p. 208). Smoking may be used as a form of self-medication for the depressed, and a lack of motivation for self-care can lead to decreased desire to quit smoking, but once again, a neurochemical component cannot be discountedthe chemicals involved in smoking may also increase

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