A one year prospective examination of risk factors for pod-vape use among young adults. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: North, Caroline; Li, Xiaoyin; Grossberg, Lou Ann; Loukas, Alexandra
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 229:Part B(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Pod-vapes -- Electronic nicotine delivery systems -- Young adults -- Social norms -- Risk perceptions; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109141
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Young adults have the highest prevalence of pod-vape use, compared to adolescents and older adults. Despite the increased use of pod-vapes among young adults, very few studies have explored the determinants associated with pod-vape use. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to examine the roles of social norms and risk perceptions in subsequent pod-vape use one year later among a cohort of 21–34-year-old young adults. Method: Participants were 3543 young adults from the last two waves (spring 2018 and 2019) of the Marketing and Promotions across Colleges in Texas project (M-PACT). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the role of social norms and risk perceptions on subsequent pod-vape use one year later. Results: The prevalence of current pod-vape use in the present sample increased by 139.3% between 2018 and 2019. The social norm variables of close friends' pod-vape use and inclination to date someone that uses pod-vapes, but not social acceptability of pod-vapes, predicted subsequent pod-vape use one year later. Neither of the risk perception variables predicted subsequent pod-vape use. Conclusion: The current study highlights the importance of social norms as predictors of subsequent pod-vape use among older young adults (21–34 years old). The rise in pod-vape use indicates that preventative efforts that target young adults are warranted, especially those that consider the role of peers in pod-vape use. Highlights: Current pod-vape use increased by 139.3% between 2018 and 2019. Over 62% of current pod-vape users at baseline persisted use one year later. Current pod-vape users were more likely to be male, non-Hispanic white, a current ENDS user and a current smoker at baseline. Close friends' pod-vape use and inclination to date a pod-vape user predicted subsequent pod-vape use one year later.