Longitudinal investigation of the bidirectional associations between initiation of e-cigarettes and other substances in adolescents.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the bidirectional associations between the initiation of e-cigarettes and other substances among adolescents. The study aims to determine the rates of substance use initiation and investigate the temporal predictors of substance initiation over a two-year follow-up period. The findings of this study have important implications for regulatory policies related to e-cigarettes and other substances.

Key Points:

* The study collected data annually for three years from a single high school, with a sample of 141 students.
* The study investigated the rates of substance use initiation for e-cigarettes, alcohol, traditional tobacco products, and marijuana.
* The study used cross-lagged panel models to estimate the bidirectional associations between initiation of e-cigarette use and other substances.
* The study found that the risk for initiation of e-cigarettes was comparable across the two years and that youth were most at risk for having used alcohol at baseline.
* There is preliminary evidence that endorsement of alcohol use at baseline increased the risk for initiation of e-cigarettes one year later.
* The study also found that rates of e-cigarette initiations increased throughout the two-year period.
* The study suggests that efforts to prevent initiation of e-cigarettes should target adolescents who have used alcohol.

Main Message:
The study provides important insights into the bidirectional associations between the initiation of e-cigarettes and other substances among adolescents. The findings suggest that there is a need for regulatory policies that address the initiation of e-cigarettes, particularly among adolescents who have used alcohol. The study highlights the importance of understanding the temporal predictors of substance initiation in order to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies. Overall, the study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to regulating e-cigarettes and other substances to protect the health and well-being of adolescents.

Ortega a, Sutton M, McConville a, Cushing CC, Fite PJ. Longitudinal investigation of the bidirectional associations between initiation of e-cigarettes and other substances in adolescents. Journal of Substance Use. 2021;26(1):40-47. doi:10.1080/14659891.2020.1766129