Cigarette smoking quit ratios among adults in the USA with cannabis use and cannabis use disorders, 2002–2016

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of cigarette smoking is nearly three times higher among persons who use cannabis and have cannabis use disorders (CUDs), relative to those who do not. The current study examined cigarette quit ratios from 2002 to 2016 among US adults with and without cannabis use and CUDs.MethodsThe current study analysed US adults aged 18 years and older from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional study. Quit ratios (ie, proportion of former smokers among ever-smokers) were calculated annually from 2002 to 2016. Time trends in quit ratios by cannabis use/CUDs were tested using logistic regression.ResultsIn 2016, the quit ratios for people with any cannabis use (23%) and CUDs (15%) were less than half the quit ratios of those without cannabis use and CUDs (51% and 48%, respectively). After controlling for demographics and substance use disorders, the quit ratio did not change from 2002 to 2016 among persons with CUD, though it non-linearly increased among persons with cannabis use, without cannabis use and without CUDs. Quit ratios increased more rapidly among those who reported past-month cannabis use compared with those without past-month cannabis use.ConclusionsCigarette smoking quit ratios remain dramatically lower among people who use cannabis and have CUDs and quit ratios did not change significantly from 2002 to 2016 among those with CUDs. Public health and clinical attention are needed to increase quit ratios and reduce harmful cigarette smoking consequences for persons with cannabis use and CUDs.

Cigarette dependence is more prevalent and increasing among US adolescents and adults who use cannabis, 2002–2019

“…Cigarette use is associated with increased likelihood of cannabis use and more frequent cannabis use 9–11. Conversely, cannabis use is associated with greater likelihood of cigarette use12–14 and heavier cigarette use,15 and cannabis use is associated with increased risk of cigarette initiation, lower cigarette quit rates and increased risk of cigarette relapse 16–18. The well-documented health risks associated with cigarette use1 19 appear to be intensified with use of both cigarettes and cannabis compared with use of cigarettes alone 20 21…”

“…Recent findings indicate that cigarette quit rates are lower among US individuals who use versus do not use cannabis 17. The reasons underlying the lower quit rate among those using cigarettes and cannabis are not yet clear.…”

An empirical perspective on cigarette use in substance use recovery

“…The prevalence of co-occurrence among individuals seeking SUD treatment is unknown as this information is not routinely collected at intake or discharge. The link between TUD and AUD seems persistent regardless of interest in quitting cigarettes; individuals with SUD experience significantly lower quit rates and more rapid relapse than individuals without SUDs (Weinberger, Gbedemah, & Goodwin, 2017a;Weinberger et al, 2017bWeinberger et al, , 2020. This is potentially due to a variety of barriers to effective cessation interventions in this population (Schroeder & Morris, 2010), as well as changes to the brain reward pathway in those who co-use (Bandiera et al, 2020;Lajtha & Sershen, 2010).…”

Prevalence of cannabis use among tobacco smokers: a systematic review protocol

“…Global estimates suggest that the number of cannabis users has increased in many countries, as has the treatment for cannabis use disorder 12. Changing regulatory environments and the legalisation of cannabis in some countries, and decreasing perceptions of risk associated with cannabis use,13 14 have been viewed to contribute to this recently increase in use 15–17. Other contributors to the increased use of cannabis include sociodemographic and environmental risk factors,18 including the COVID-19 pandemic 19.…”

“…There are limited studies examining tobacco and cannabis co-use in LMIC. Tobacco and cannabis co-use is often missed in population prevalence surveys 13…”