Summary
Introduction:
This article by Melinda Ickes et al. examines the prevalence and factors influencing Juul use among incoming freshmen transitioning from high school to college. The study found that a significant proportion of students had ever used Juul (41%) and a quarter had used it within the past month (24%). The study also identified various risk factors for current Juul use, including heterosexual orientation, plans to join a sorority/fraternity, current smoking, current marijuana use, and current alcohol use.
Key Points:
* The study surveyed 1,706 incoming freshmen at a public university in the southeastern US.
* 41% of students had ever used Juul, and 24% had used it within the past month.
* Risk factors for current Juul use include heterosexual orientation, plans to join a sorority/fraternity, current smoking, current marijuana use, and current alcohol use.
* among current Juul users, one-third had used 20-30 days in the past 30 days.
* Most participants had never purchased Juul pods (57%).
* Nearly all participants agreed that Juuls contain nicotine and are addictive.
* a higher percentage of current Juul users were white/non-hispanic compared to never users.
* Current smokers were 24.39 times as likely to be current Juul users relative to those not currently using cigarettes.
Main Message:
The study highlights the significant proportion of emerging adults who use Juul and the need for targeted prevention and treatment efforts. The identified risk factors can inform regulatory policies and campus intervention programs to reduce Juul use and the associated health risks among college students. The findings also emphasize the importance of integrating brand-specific terminology into tobacco surveillance measures, given the popularity of Juul among young people.
Citation
Ickes M, hester JW, Wiggins aT, Rayens MK. Juul use among emerging adults transitioning from high school to college. Journal of american college health : J of aCh. 2023;71(1):53-60. doi:10.1080/07448481.2021.1873790
