Changes in the National Prevalence of Current E-Cigarette, Cannabis, and Dual Use among Reproductive age Women (18-44 Years Old) in the United States, 2013-2016.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the prevalence and changes in current e-cigarette, cannabis, and dual use among nonpregnant reproductive age women in the United States using data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study from 2013 to 2016. The study aims to report the percentage prevalence and changes in current e-cigarette, cannabis, and dual use between 2013 and 2016 among nonpregnant women aged 18-44 years in the U.S. across sociodemographic subgroups, other risky behaviors, and comorbid mental health.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PaTh Study, a nationally representative study of tobacco use, substance use, and associated health behaviors among the civilian noninstitutionalized population aged 12 years and older in the U.S.
* The study focuses on nonpregnant reproductive age women aged 18-44 years and reports the weighted percentage prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and changes in current e-cigarette use, cannabis use, and dual use between 2013 and 2016.
* The study found that between 2013 and 2016, e-cigarette use increased by 13.6% (p for trend <.001), cannabis use increased by 6.2% (p for trend <.001), and dual use declined by 0.3% (p for trend <.001).
* The increases and declines in prevalence varied across sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking status, alcohol use, and perceived mental health.
* The study found that increases in prevalence of e-cigarette use were observed among younger (aged 18-24 years), less educated (high school or less), and tobacco-naïve (never smokers) women, while increases in cannabis use were observed among 25-34-year-old and more educated (a bachelor’s degree or higher) subgroups of women.
* The study also found differences in prevalence of e-cigarettes, cannabis, and dual use among women who self-reported perceived mental health.
* The study suggests that continued monitoring is needed to capture further changes in prevalence and patterns to inform targeted public health intervention programs.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of monitoring the prevalence and changes in current e-cigarette, cannabis, and dual use among nonpregnant reproductive age women. The increases in e-cigarette use among younger, less educated, and tobacco-naïve women, as well as the increases in cannabis use among 25-34-year-old and more educated women, indicate a need for targeted public health intervention programs. additionally, the study suggests that mental health co-morbidity may increase vulnerability to using multiple substances, and further research is needed to determine if substance use worsens mental health or if mental health co-morbidity increases the risk of use. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions to address the rising prevalence of e-cigarette and cannabis use among nonpregnant reproductive age women.

Kondracki aJ, Li W, Kalan ME, Ben Taleb Z, Ibrahimou B, Bursac Z. Changes in the National Prevalence of Current E-Cigarette, Cannabis, and Dual Use among Reproductive age Women (18-44 Years Old) in the United States, 2013-2016. Substance use & misuse. 2022;57(6):833-840. doi:10.1080/10826084.2022.2046092