Examining potential risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation in a sample of Florida youth.

Introduction:
This text discusses the findings of a study that aimed to identify and examine risk factors associated with early age of nicotine vaping initiation using data from the 2019 Florida Youth Substance abuse Survey (FYSaS). The study focused on a representative sample of Florida youths aged 10 and up, making it the first study to examine potential risk factors of early age of vaping initiation in such a young sample.

Key Points:

* The study found that early age of nicotine vaping initiation is associated with other forms of risky behavior in adolescence.
* Risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation include cigarette use, alcohol use, having substance using peers, lifetime incidence of arrest, and lifetime incidence of school suspension.
* The study also found that male gender and conventional cigarette smoking are the most salient risk factors for predicting adolescent vaping activity.
* Prior cigarette use is a significant predictor of initiating vaping activity.
* having a family history of drug problems is not related to early age of nicotine vaping initiation.
* The study found that peer substance use, viewing cigarette smoking as wrong, and peers viewing vaping nicotine as wrong are associated with nicotine vaping initiation.
* Lifetime arrest and school suspension are also associated with nicotine vaping initiation.

Main Message:
The main message of the study is that early age of nicotine vaping initiation is closely connected to other forms of risky behavior in adolescence. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation, such as cigarette use, alcohol use, having substance using peers, lifetime incidence of arrest, and lifetime incidence of school suspension. The study also emphasizes the need for policies and interventions aimed at preventing early initiation into vaping activity and channeling youth at risk of early nicotine vaping initiation into targeted educational and preventive programs.

Boccio CM, Jackson DB. Examining potential risk factors for early age of nicotine vaping initiation in a sample of Florida youth. addictive behaviors. 2021;120:106962. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106962