Use of E-Cigarettes for Nicotine, Marijuana, and Just Flavoring Among U.S. Youth.

Introduction: This text summarizes a research study examining the use of e-cigarettes among US youth. The study focuses on the patterns of youth vaping different substances, including nicotine, marijuana, and just flavoring. The study also identifies risk factors associated with past-30-day self-reported vaping of these substances and the patterns of substance use in e-cigarettes. The study was conducted using data from the 2017 Monitoring the Future survey.

Key Points:

* The study found that 8.0% of participants reported currently vaping just flavoring, 7.4% vaping nicotine, and 3.6% vaping marijuana.
* Youth who were in 12th and 10th grade, male, current smokers, and current marijuana users had increased risk of vaping nicotine, marijuana, and just flavoring.
* Among students who reported e-cigarette use in the last 30 days, only 24.9% reported vaping just flavoring only, and a majority (75.1%) reported vaping nicotine, marijuana, or multiple substances.
* Higher grade or increasing cigarette smoking intensity was associated with a higher proportion of students reporting vaping nicotine only and a lower proportion of students reporting vaping just flavoring only.
* Black non-Hispanics were less likely than white non-Hispanics to report currently vaping.
* Strategies and interventions to reduce youth e-cigarette use are needed.

Main Message: The study highlights the complex pattern of youth e-cigarette use and the potential addictive substances beyond just flavoring that youth are reporting. The findings suggest that continuous surveillance of youth behaviors and strategies and interventions to reduce youth e-cigarette use are necessary. The study also emphasizes the need to educate youth about the potential harms of e-cigarette use and raise their knowledge about the substances in their e-cigarette devices.

Dai H, Siahpush M. Use of E-Cigarettes for Nicotine, Marijuana, and Just Flavoring Among U.S. Youth. American journal of preventive medicine. 2020;58(2):244-249. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2019.09.006