associations of history of mental illness with smoking and vaping among university students aged 18-24 years in New Zealand: Results of a 2018 national cross-sectional survey.

Introduction:
This text summarizes the results of a study examining the associations between a history of mental illness (hMI) and smoking and vaping among university students aged 18-24 in New Zealand. The study aims to determine if such associations exist, identify at-risk groups, and provide information to relevant services to help determine the need for support services on campus.

Key Points:

* The study is based on a 2018 cross-sectional survey of university students in New Zealand.
* an hMI was defined as a diagnosis or treatment for depression, anxiety/nervous disorder, or other mental health condition in the previous 12-months.
* The sample consisted of 1293 students, 18.5% of whom reported an hMI.
* Smoking: 49.7% of students reported ever smoking, 10.5% were current smokers, and 5.0% smoked daily. Participants with hMI were significantly more likely to smoke than those without hMI.
* Vaping: 38.7% of students reported ever vaping, 6.3% were current vapers, and 1.9% vaped daily. Participants with hMI were significantly more likely to vape than those without hMI.
* The model containing all predictors of hMI was significant, with gender, current smoking, and current vaping making unique significant contributions to the model.
* Females had nearly twice the odds of reporting an hMI compared to males.
* There was a relationship between current vaping and hMI status, with current vapers having higher odds of reporting an hMI than non-current vapers.

Main Message:
The study found that students with an hMI had significantly higher prevalence of smoking and vaping compared to students without an hMI. The results suggest that health practitioners working with tertiary students should be aware of the potential increased risk for mental illness among students who smoke and/or vape and regularly screen for mental health conditions. Proven smoking cessation strategies, including counseling and pharmacotherapy, should be extended to students with an hMI to reduce the excess burden of smoking associated with mental illness. Further investigation is needed to understand the association between vaping and mental illness.

Wamamili B, Wallace-Bell M, Richardson a, Grace RC, Coope P. associations of history of mental illness with smoking and vaping among university students aged 18-24 years in New Zealand: Results of a 2018 national cross-sectional survey. addictive behaviors. 2021;112:106635. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106635