Sociodemographic differences in patterns of nicotine and cannabis vaping among US adults.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the sociodemographic differences in patterns of nicotine and cannabis vaping among US adults. The study uses data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) Study to examine the proportions and correlates of nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns among adults who currently use electronic vapor products (EVPs). The objective of the study is to better understand the intersecting patterns of nicotine and cannabis vaping among US adults and whether they differ by age, sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation status, and socioeconomic status (SES). This summary will highlight the key points of the study design, major findings, and main message.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from Wave 4 of the PaTh Study, collected from December 2016 to January 2018.
* The study examines nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns among adults who currently use EVPs in the past 30 days.
* The study creates a four-category variable for adults who currently vape: nicotine only, cannabis only, nicotine and cannabis, and non-nicotine/non-cannabis e-liquid.
* The study examines sociodemographic predictors of each nicotine and cannabis vaping category compared to vaping nicotine only.
* The study finds that more than half (54.2%) of adults who used EVPs indicated that they vaped nicotine only, while about a quarter (23.8%) vaped nicotine and cannabis.
* The study finds that nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns differ by age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and educational attainment.
* The study finds that young adults, hispanic and Nh Black adults, and LGB adults had higher odds of vaping either cannabis only, nicotine and cannabis, or non-nicotine/non-cannabis e-liquid versus nicotine only vaping, compared to their respective counterparts.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the intersecting patterns of nicotine and cannabis vaping among US adults. The findings suggest that more than half of adults who used EVPs vaped nicotine only, while about a quarter vaped nicotine and cannabis. The study also found that nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns differed by age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and educational attainment. The study suggests that further investigation is needed to better understand the population prevalence of use among adults, particularly among young adults, hispanic and Nh Black adults, and LGB adults. The study also emphasizes the need to address not only nicotine vaping but also vaping other substances such as cannabis and perhaps additives that do not include nicotine or cannabis such as flavorings. The neurobiological effects of cannabis vaping or smoking can complicate the advancement of tobacco regulatory science and may promote nicotine vaping. Therefore, understanding nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns is vital to inform tobacco control researchers of the potential implications related to tobacco regulation and cessation efforts.

Mattingly DT, Patel a, hirschtick JL, Fleischer NL. Sociodemographic differences in patterns of nicotine and cannabis vaping among US adults. Preventive medicine reports. 2022;26:101715. doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101715