Patterns and correlates of the co-use of marijuana with any tobacco and individual tobacco products in young adults from Wave 2 of the PATH Study

Introduction:
This text summarizes a study that investigates the prevalence and correlates of past 30-day marijuana and tobacco use and co-use among young adults using data from Wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The study also examines correlates of co-use patterns across each tobacco product. The findings can inform the development of intervention and prevention programs by identifying unique sub-groups of users based on demographic factors and/or tobacco product of use.

Key Points:

* The study found that 21.33% of young adults reported past 30-day co-use of marijuana and tobacco.
* Co-users reported a higher prevalence of past 30-day use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, traditional cigars, cigarillos/filtered cigars, and using three or more tobacco products.
* Co-users also reported the highest prevalence of other drug use, followed by marijuana-only users, tobacco-only users, and non-users.
* Mean days consumed alcohol in the past 30-days was highest among co-users.
* Correlates of co-use differed across marijuana and tobacco product combinations.
* Higher income levels were associated with decreased odds of marijuana and cigarette co-use.
* Female gender was associated with increased odds of eo-use with cigarettes and hookah, and decreased odds of eo-use with traditional cigars.
* Flavored tobacco use was associated with increased odds of marijuana's eo-use with e-cigarettes and hookah, and associated with decreased odds of eo-use with cigarettes and cigars.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of examining correlates of marijuana and tobacco co-use patterns across individual tobacco products to inform the development of targeted intervention and prevention programs. The findings can help identify unique sub-groups of users based on demographic factors and/or tobacco product of use, which can be crucial in designing effective public health messaging around marijuana and tobacco co-use, particularly in the context of marijuana legalization policies.

Cohn, Amy M. “Patterns and Correlates of the Co-Use of Marijuana with Any Tobacco and Individual Tobacco Products in Young Adults from Wave 2 of the PATH Study,” 2019.