Associations of risk factors of e-cigarette and cigarette use and susceptibility to use among baseline PATH study youth participants (2013-2014)

Introduction:
This text summarizes a study that aimed to describe the distribution of traditional risk factors for cigarette smoking among youth who are susceptible to or ever users of e-cigarettes or cigarettes. The study uses a nationally-representative sample to compare the odds of various risk factors among different groups of youth.

Key Points:

* The study found that committed never users of tobacco products had the lowest odds of any risk factor, followed by those susceptible to single product use, then those susceptible to both products.
* Compared to e-cigarette only users, dual users had higher odds of other tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use, internalizing problems, low academic achievement, and exposure to others' tobacco use.
* Ever cigarette smokers had higher odds of other tobacco use, marijuana use, high GAIN substance scores, lower academic achievement, and exposure to others' smoking than e-cigarette only users, but the increased odds were lower than those observed for dual users.
* No differences were observed in the ever use groups for GAIN externalizing, sensation seeking, or household use of other tobacco.
* The study suggests that certain risk factors may be associated with increased odds of using both e-cigarettes and cigarettes.
* The findings may inform future studies examining transitions between products and assessing the influence of risk factors on the probability of progression to regular tobacco use.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of considering traditional risk factors for cigarette smoking when examining the use of e-cigarettes among youth. The findings suggest that certain risk factors, such as other tobacco use, alcohol and marijuana use, and exposure to others' tobacco use, may be associated with increased odds of using both e-cigarettes and cigarettes. The study also emphasizes the need for further research to understand the impact of e-cigarette use on the progression to regular tobacco use among youth.

Sawdey, Michael D, Hannah R Day, Blair Coleman, Lisa D Gardner, Sarah E Johnson, Jean Limpert, Hoda T Hammad, and David B Abramsc. “Associations of Risk Factors of E-Cigarette and Cigarette Use and Susceptibility to Use among Baseline PATH Study Youth Participants (2013-2014).” Addictive Behaviors, 2019.