Summary
Introduction:
This article examines the relationship between e-cigarette use and other risk behaviors among adolescents using data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. The study aimed to determine if e-cigarette use was associated with other substance uses and various risk behaviors, as well as if age and sex moderated those associations.
Key Points:
* The study found that e-cigarette use was associated with higher odds of using other substances, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, cigars, alcohol, and marijuana.
* E-cigarette use was also linked to involvement in driving-related risky behaviors, sexual activity-related risky behaviors, and violence-related risky behaviors.
* The relationships between e-cigarette use and certain risk behaviors were moderated by age and sex.
* Older e-cigarette users were more likely to ride with a drunk driver, while younger e-cigarette users had a higher chance of being involved in carrying a gun, having multiple sex partners, and current cigarette and marijuana use.
* Female students who used e-cigarettes were at a greater risk of carrying a gun and being involved in risk behaviors including current smokeless tobacco, alcohol uses, marijuana use, having multiple sex partners, weapon carrying, and gun carrying.
Main Message:
The study suggests that e-cigarette use is linked to other risk behaviors among adolescents, and that age and sex play a role in these associations. Policy makers and educators should address multiple risk behaviors as part of comprehensive tobacco-free policies and youth substance use prevention programs. It is important to monitor and address the co-occurrence of multiple risk behaviors in adolescents, and to tailor interventions to address co-occurring risk behaviors for younger or female adolescents who use e-cigarettes.
Citation
Chang YP, Seo YS. E-cigarette use and concurrent risk behaviors among adolescents. Nursing outlook. 2021;69(3):302-310. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2020.09.005
