Vaping cannabis among adolescents: prevalence and associations with tobacco use from a cross-sectional study in the USA

Abstract

ObjectivePrevious research suggests that some adolescents are using e-cigarette devices to vaporise (‘vaping’) cannabis in the form of hash oil, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax or oil, or dried cannabis buds or leaves. However, it is unclear how adolescents who vape cannabis use other tobacco products. This study examined the extent to which adolescents reported ever vaping cannabis and investigated how demographic variables and tobacco behaviours were associated with use.DesignWe used cross-sectional data from adolescents (total response rate 64.5%) who participated in the 2017 North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey. SAS logistic regression survey procedures were used to account for the complex survey design and sampling weights.SettingNorth Carolina, USA.ParticipantsAdolescents in high school (n=2835).Primary outcome and measureAdolescents were asked to indicate whether they had ever used an e-cigarette device with marijuana, THC or hash oil, or THC wax.ResultsApproximately 1 in 10 high school students reported ever vaping cannabis in the overall sample (9.6%). In multivariable models, adolescents who reported using cigars (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.76, 95% CI 2.33 to 6.07), waterpipe (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.37 to 3.93) or e-cigarettes (aOR 3.18, 95% CI 2.38 to 4.25) in the past 30 days had higher odds of reporting ever vaping cannabis compared with their counterparts. There was no significant association between use of smokeless tobacco (aOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.91) or use of cigarettes (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 0.71 to 2.29) in the past 30 days and odds of reporting ever vaping cannabis.ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence that large numbers of high school students who use tobacco products have vaped cannabis. As tobacco control policies—such as communication campaigns or smoke-free laws—increasingly focus on e-cigarettes, attention to understanding how adolescents use e-cigarettes to vape substances other than nicotine is essential.

Subjective Generic Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors among Adolescents: Results of a Population-Based Online Survey in Germany

“…Bröder et al elaborated six special features for children and adolescents, which are relevant for their health literacy: disease epidemiology, demography, development, dependency, democracy und digitalization [ 9 , 14 ]. In terms of differential epidemiology, e.g., mid-adolescents are prone to risky behavior, such as substance misuse [ 15 , 16 ]. In terms of digitalization, e.g., adolescents frequently use digital information to address their health issues [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Changes from 2017 to 2018 in e‐cigarette use and in ever marijuana use with e‐cigarettes among US adolescents: analysis of the National Youth Tobacco Survey

“…Results from the Monitoring the Future Study, another school‐based national survey, however, indicate that there is substantial overlap among use of marijuana, cigarettes and e‐cigarettes [41,42]. In 2016, the NYTS included a question to discern whether individuals ever used an e‐cigarette device with a substance besides nicotine, and almost 10% responded that they had used marijuana, THC or hash oil or THC wax in this way [43]. Subsequently, in 2017–18, this question was modified.…”

Type of e-liquid vaped, poly-nicotine use and nicotine dependence symptoms in young adult e-cigarette users: a descriptive study

“…Only one-quarter of cigarette users had used e-cigarettes to quit in the past year. Given the popularity of vaping cannabis [39,40] and recent vaping-induced respiratory injuries [27][28][29], it is critical to better understand what e-cigarette users vape and the reasons that young adults choose these products. We speculate that the reasons differ by e-liquid used.…”