association of depression and suicidality with electronic and conventional cigarette use in South Korean adolescents.

Introduction:
This article examines the relationship between depression, suicidality, and the use of electronic and conventional cigarettes among South Korean adolescents. The study aims to distinguish different patterns of tobacco product use and their association with depression and suicidality.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the 2017 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) and includes 62,276 students.
* Participants were categorized into four groups: nonuse, conventional-cigarette-only use, e-cigarette-only use, and dual use.
* The study assessed depression and suicidality by asking participants about their feelings and experiences in the past 12 months.
* The study found that dual users had a higher prevalence of depression and suicidality for both lifetime and current use.
* E-cigarette-only users had higher levels of depression and suicidality than nonusers.
* among female adolescents, conventional-cigarette-only users, e-cigarette-only users, and dual users had a higher prevalence of depression and suicidality than male adolescents.
* The study suggests that health professionals providing smoking cessation programs for adolescents should screen for depression and suicidality.

Main Message:
The study highlights the urgent need for evaluation and intervention in e-cigarette use by health professionals providing smoking cessation programs for adolescents. The findings suggest that e-cigarette use is associated with depression and suicidality in adolescents, and health professionals should consider this in their assessments and interventions. The study also emphasizes the importance of tailored interventions for adolescents at risk of mental health problems and e-cigarette use. Overall, the study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to adolescent mental health and substance use.

Lee Y, Lee KS. association of depression and suicidality with electronic and conventional cigarette use in South Korean adolescents. Substance Use & Misuse. 2019;54(6):934-943. doi:10.1080/10826084.2018.1552301