Investigating the role of familial and peer-related factors on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among U.S. adolescents.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between social environmental factors and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among US adolescents. The study uses data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study and employs a longitudinal design to investigate the impact of social factors on the patterns of initiation, expansion, and persistence of adolescent ENDS use over time.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PATH study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study of adults and adolescents in the US.
* The study investigates the impact of social factors on the patterns of initiation, expansion, and persistence of adolescent ENDS use over time.
* The study finds that peer smoking and ENDS behaviors increase initiation and escalate adolescent ENDS use, while parental communication has a minimal effect.
* Specifically, the study finds that having a best friend who is an ENDS user is positively associated with ENDS use onset and persistence.
* The study also finds that tobacco availability at home and neutral or mild parental reactions toward tobacco use are positively associated with continued ENDS use.
* The study controls for potential confounding risk variables such as adolescent use of other substances and parental education levels.
* The study utilizes data collected prior to the widespread media attention about vaping-related illnesses, allowing for an examination of tobacco use risk factors independent of these possible confounding circumstances.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of considering social environmental factors when addressing adolescent ENDS use. The findings suggest that peer smoking and ENDS behaviors have a significant impact on adolescent initiation and escalation of ENDS use, while parental communication has a minimal effect. These insights can inform tailored efforts targeted at prevention and cessation. Furthermore, the study underscores the need to address tobacco availability in the home and parental reactions toward tobacco use to lower the likelihood of adolescent established smoking later in life.

Cavazos-Rehg P, Li X, Kasson E, Kaiser N, Borodovsky J, Grucza RA. Investigating the role of familial and peer-related factors on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among U.S. adolescents. Journal of adolescence. 2021;87:98-105. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.01.003