Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes, Impulsivity, and Anxiety: Influences on Suicidal Ideation Among Youth and Young Adults in Texas

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study examining the relationship between nicotine use, impulsivity, and suicidal ideation in young people. The study uses data from the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System (TATAMS) to investigate the direct and interactive influences of nicotine use and impulsivity on suicidal ideation.

Key points:

* The study uses data from the TATAMS survey, which includes a cohort of male and female emerging adults in Texas.
* The study examines the direct and interactive relationships between nicotine use (combustible cigarettes and electronic cigarettes) and impulsivity on suicidal ideation.
* The study found that P30D or current use of cigarettes or e-cigarettes directly increased the risk for suicidal ideation.
* Among ever cigarette users, only females were at increased risk of ideation.
* Impulse control deficits related to acting without thinking, inability to focus attention, and behaving without regard for future consequences were associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation.
* Anxiety directly increased the risk for suicidal ideation.
* All minority youth were at increased risk for suicidal ideation relative to their non-Hispanic White peers.
* Youths reporting higher SES had reduced suicidal ideation relative to lower SES.

Main message:
The study highlights the importance of considering the relationship between nicotine use, impulsivity, and suicidal ideation in young people. The findings suggest that clinicians should ask young adults about suicidal ideation, regardless of gender, with a history of tobacco use, anxiety, and/or impulsive behavior. Nicotine prevention and cessation programs might be more effective if they simultaneously target substance use and mental health. Additionally, culturally appropriate support is needed for ethnic and racial minority youth and young adults in school, college, and at work. The study also emphasizes the importance of addressing both individual- and structural-level risk factors to ensure equity and enhance suicide prevention efforts.

Anna V Wilkinson, Baojiang Chen, Alan C Swann, David P Graham, David A Nielsen, Thomas R Kosten, Alexandra Loukas, Dale S Mantey, Bara S Bataineh, Melissa B Harrell, Use of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes, Impulsivity, and Anxiety: Influences on Suicidal Ideation Among Youth and Young Adults in Texas, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 27, Issue 1, January 2025, Pages 54–60, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae163