Electronic Cigarettes associated With Incident and Polysubstance Use among Youth.

Introduction:
This article summarizes a study examining the relationship between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and the incidence of substance use among youth. The study uses data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) survey and employs a longitudinal design to assess the association between e-cigarette use at baseline and the incidence of marijuana, painkillers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and Ritalin/adderall use, as well as polysubstance use, at follow-up. The study also examines the association between baseline e-cigarette use and marijuana use in electronic nicotine devices at follow-up.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PaTh survey, a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study of tobacco use behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs in the United States.
* The study focuses on youth aged 12-17 years and includes data from Waves 1, 2, and 3 of the PaTh survey, which were collected over a three-year period.
* The study employs multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association between e-cigarette use at baseline and the incidence of substance use at follow-up, controlling for potential confounding variables.
* The study finds that e-cigarette use at baseline is associated with an increased incidence of marijuana use, marijuana use in electronic nicotine devices, Ritalin/adderall use, and polysubstance use at follow-up.
* however, the study does not find a significant association between e-cigarette use at baseline and the incidence of painkiller, sedative, or tranquilizer use at follow-up.
* The study also finds that e-cigarette use at baseline is associated with an increased likelihood of marijuana use in electronic nicotine devices at follow-up.
* The study controls for potential confounding variables, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, school grade performance, highest parental education, sensation seeking, depression, history of tobacco, marijuana, alcohol, illicit and nonprescribed drug use in Wave 1.

Main Message:
The study provides evidence for a relationship between e-cigarette use and the incidence of substance use among youth. Specifically, the study suggests that e-cigarette use is associated with an increased incidence of marijuana use, marijuana use in electronic nicotine devices, Ritalin/adderall use, and polysubstance use. The study also suggests that e-cigarette use is associated with an increased likelihood of marijuana use in electronic nicotine devices. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring e-cigarette use among youth and the need for further research to understand the potential harms associated with e-cigarette use. The study also underscores the need for regulatory measures to prevent e-cigarette use among youth and to protect public health.

Bentivegna K, atuegwu NC, Oncken C, DiFranza JR, Mortensen EM. Electronic Cigarettes associated With Incident and Polysubstance Use among Youth. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for adolescent Medicine. 2021;68(1):123-129. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.05.026