Electronic cigarette use and mental health: a Canadian population-based study.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between electronic cigarette use and mental health in a Canadian population. The study uses data from the Canadian Community health Survey (CChS) to estimate the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its association with various adverse mental health outcomes. The study also explores potential interactions between e-cigarette use, smoking status, and sex.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the CChS, a nationally representative sample of the Canadian general household population.
* The study estimates the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its association with adverse mental health outcomes, including depressive symptom ratings, self-reported professionally diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders, perceived mental health, suicidal thoughts/attempts, and binge drinking.
* The study finds that e-cigarette use is consistently associated with poor mental health among non-smokers and women, even after adjusting for additional covariates.
* The study also finds that the association between e-cigarette use and mental health is modified by smoking status and sex.
* The study relies on respondent self-report and has a cross-sectional design, which does not allow for clarifying the direction of the association.
* The study notes that e-cigarette use is associated with health risks, including the chemicals in vaping products and nicotine addiction.
* The study highlights the importance of understanding the prevalence of electronic cigarette use and its association with adverse mental health outcomes to inform public health policies.

Main Message:
The study suggests that e-cigarette use is associated with adverse mental health status, particularly among non-smokers and women. The study's findings have important implications for product regulation and advertising, highlighting the need for further research to clarify the potential causal link between e-cigarette use and mental health. The study underscores the importance of considering the potential risks of e-cigarette use, including second-hand vapor, in future longitudinal studies. Overall, the study highlights the need for continued vigilance in monitoring the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

Pham T, Williams JVa, Bhattarai a, Dores aK, Isherwood LJ, Patten SB. Electronic cigarette use and mental health: a Canadian population-based study. Journal of affective disorders. 2020;260:646-652. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.026