Associations Between Family and Peer E-Cigarette Use With Adolescent Tobacco and Marijuana Usage: A Longitudinal Path Analytic Approach.

Introduction: This text summarizes a longitudinal study examining the relationship between adolescent e-cigarette use and subsequent tobacco and marijuana use. The study also investigates the influence of family and peer e-cigarette use on adolescent behavior.

Key Points:

* The study involved a 3-year longitudinal cohort of adolescents enrolled in alternative California high schools (N = 1025).
* The research found that adolescents with family members or peers using e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes themselves and report more positive expectations about cigarette use.
* These factors (e-cigarette use, positive expectations, and willingness to try cigarettes) predicted cigarette use in the second year and marijuana use in the third year.
* The study highlights the predictive implications of e-cigarettes for other dangerous substance use and the importance of addressing peer and family influences in prevention campaigns.

Main Message: The study emphasizes the significant role of e-cigarette use by parents and peers in influencing adolescent behavior, leading to a higher likelihood of cigarette and marijuana use. This highlights the importance of targeting peer and family groups in prevention campaigns to reduce adolescent substance use.

Coleman M, Donaldson CD, Crano WD, Pike JR, Stacy AW. Associations Between Family and Peer E-Cigarette Use With Adolescent Tobacco and Marijuana Usage: A Longitudinal Path Analytic Approach. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2021;23(5):849-855. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntaa204