Electronic vapor product usage and substance use risk behaviors among U.S. high school students.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the relationship between electronic vapor product (EVP) usage and substance use risk behaviors among U.S. high school students. The study uses data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey to analyze how previous 30-day EVP, cigarette, and dual-product usage as well as EVP usage frequency are related to 13 specific alcohol- and drug-related risk behaviors. The study also aims to determine if these associations vary by frequency of youth EVP use.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which is a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students.
* The study categorized respondents into four groups based on their previous 30-day EVP and cigarette usage: nonuse, cigarette only, EVP only, or dual use.
* Respondents were also categorized by 30-day EVP usage frequency: 0, 1-9, 10-29, or 30 days.
* Thirteen substance use behaviors were selected as dependent variables and dichotomized.
* adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated using multivariable modified Poisson regression to determine associations between outcome behaviors and both current EVP/cigarette usage and EVP usage frequency.
* Cigarette, EVP, and dual users were more likely to engage in 12 of 13 substance use behaviors compared to nonusers.
* Prevalence of risk behaviors is generally greater for dual users than EVP-only users, but prevalence proportions do not significantly differ among occasional, frequent, or daily EVP users for most behaviors.

Main Message:
The study found that adolescent EVP use, with or without concurrent cigarette smoking, is associated with a higher likelihood of engagement in several substance use behaviors. The prevalence of risk behaviors is generally greater for dual users than EVP-only users, but prevalence proportions do not significantly differ among occasional, frequent, or daily EVP users for most behaviors. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce youth EVP usage and concomitant drug- and alcohol-related behaviors should be a priority for clinicians, families, and public health officials.

Rigsby DC, Keim Sa, adesman a. Electronic vapor product usage and substance use risk behaviors among U.S. high school students. Journal of Child and adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2019;29(7):545-553. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0047