The Unhealthy association Between Smoking, Vaping, and Other Drug Use.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of various studies on the relationship between smoking, vaping, and the use of other drugs. It presents the findings of several research projects and clinical studies that explore the co-use and interactions between nicotine, tobacco, and other substances of abuse. The text also highlights the role of age, dose, and sex in the complex interaction between nicotine and other drugs.

Key Points:

* Nicotine and tobacco use have numerous adverse health effects, and e-cigarettes also have adverse health effects.
* The reinforcing properties of tobacco products are primarily mediated via nicotine.
* People who use cannabis are more likely to start smoking cigarettes, are less likely to try quitting, and are more likely to relapse.
* People who use opioids such as methadone are more likely to smoke than people in the general population.
* Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol does not exacerbate the effects of nicotine on reward learning in females.
* adolescent smoking or vaping can affect methamphetamine intake and may thereby increase the risk of methamphetamine abuse, but these effects are age- and sex-dependent.
* The co-use of nicotine and other drugs might lead to higher nicotine intake level and contributes to relapse.
* alcohol causes tobacco craving, and alcohol contributes to a higher level of smoking and relapse.
* The magnitude of the mood boost from smoking is not affected by alcohol or cannabis.

Main Message:
The text highlights the complex interaction between nicotine and other drugs of abuse. The findings suggest that the co-use of nicotine and other drugs might lead to higher nicotine intake level and contributes to relapse. Furthermore, the effects of nicotine on reward learning and methamphetamine intake are age- and sex-dependent. The text also emphasizes the role of alcohol in increasing tobacco craving, contributing to higher levels of smoking and relapse, and providing a mood boost. These findings have important implications for regulatory matters and public health policies. It is crucial to consider the complex interaction between nicotine and other drugs of abuse and the role of age, dose, and sex in developing effective interventions and policies to reduce nicotine and tobacco use.

Bruijnzeel aW. The Unhealthy association Between Smoking, Vaping, and Other Drug Use. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2022;24(8):1139-1140. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntac130