Summary
Introduction:
This article examines the relationship between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and subsequent cigarette smoking among U.S. adolescents, with a focus on how this association may differ by sex. The study uses data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Waves 1-4 and employs generalized estimation equations to estimate the associations.
Key Points:
* The study found that past-30-day e-cigarette use at baseline was significantly associated with past-30-day cigarette smoking at follow-up waves.
* This association was significantly stronger for boys (aOR = 6.17, 95% CI: 2.43--15.68) than for girls (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.14--8.33).
* Other factors associated with increased likelihood of cigarette smoking at follow-up include using other tobacco products, older age, and having severe externalizing mental health problems at baseline.
* The study controlled for individual sociodemographic characteristics, use of other tobacco products, and mental health conditions.
* The sample included youth never cigarette smokers at Wave 1 (n=5001), Wave 2 (n=6637), and Wave 3 (n=8177).
* Weighted prevalence of past-30-day e-cigarette use at baseline waves was 0.4% (Wave 1), 0.9% (Wave 2), and 1.5% (Wave 3).
* Sexual orientation was only available for participants aged 14 and above and was used to examine bivariate associations with outcome variables but not included in the regression analysis.
Main Message:
The prospective association between e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking differs by sex among U.S. adolescents. Sex-specific tobacco control interventions may be warranted to curb the youth tobacco use epidemic.
Citation
Duan Z, Wang Y, Huang J. Sex Difference in the Association between Electronic Cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking among U.S. Adolescents: Findings from the PATH Study Waves 1-4. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;18(4). doi:10.3390/ijerph18041695
