Electronic cigarette use and uptake of cigarette smoking: A longitudinal examination of U.S. college students. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spindle, Tory R.; Hiler, Marzena M.; Cooke, Megan E.; Eissenberg, Thomas; Kendler, Kenneth S.; Dick, Danielle M.
• Is Part Of: Addictive behaviors. Volume 67(2017)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Electronic cigarettes -- Tobacco cigarettes -- Longitudinal tobacco use -- College/university students; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; Nicotine addiction -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; Gambling -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 362.29
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.12.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4603

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use prevalence is increasing among U.S. adolescents and adults but recent longitudinal data for college/university students are scarce. Furthermore, the extent that e-cigarette use is associated with the onset of cigarette smoking and the factors that lead to the uptake of e-cigarettes in college students has not been explored. Methods: 3757 participants from a Mid-Atlantic university (women: 66%; White: 45%; Black: 21%; Asian: 19%; Hispanic/Latino: 6%) were surveyed in 2014 and again in 2015. Results: Among participants reporting never smoking at time 1, those who had ever tried e-cigarettes or were currently using e-cigarettes (at least one use in past 30 days) were more likely to have ever tried cigarettes by time 2 relative to individuals who had not used e-cigarettes. Ever use of e-cigarettes (but not current use) also increased participants' likelihood of being current cigarette smokers at time 2. Among initial never users of e-cigarettes or cigarettes, males and ever marijuana users had an increased probability of trying e-cigarettes by time 2. Furthermore, less perseverance (an index of impulsivity) and ever use of other tobacco products increased initial never users' chances of trying both cigarettes and e-cigarettes by time 2. Conclusions: Given that never-smoking participants who had tried e-cigarettes were more likely to initiate cigarette use later, limiting young adults' access to these products may be beneficial. As the long-term health implications of e-cigarette use become clearer, predictors of e-cigarette use could help identify future populations likely to use and abuse these products. Highlights: E-cig and cigarette use has not been studied in college students longitudinally. Ever and current e-cig use increased non-smokers chances of trying cigarettes. Historically internalizing/externalizing factors predict cigarette uptake strongly. Most internalizing/externalizing factors examined did not predict e-cig uptake. Males and marijuana users were more likely to initiate e-cig use.