Alternative Tobacco Use and Cigarette Smoking Transitions among College Students in Texas. (23rd February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xiaoyin; Holahan, Carole K.; Loukas, Alexandra; Holahan, Charles J.; Pasch, Keryn E.; Marti, C. Nathan
• Is Part Of: Substance use & misuse. Volume 58:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 396
• Publication Date: 2023-02-23
• Subjects: Longitudinal analysis -- Markov model -- young adults -- cigarette smoking -- alternative tobacco; Narcotic habit -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Behavior, Addictive -- Periodicals; Sustance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2165408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-6084

Abstract

Abstract: Background : High prevalence of very light cigarette smoking and use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs; i.e. electronic nicotine delivery systems [ENDS], cigars, and hookah) among young adult college students are causes for concern. The purpose of this study is to examine transitions in cigarette smoking (never vs. non-current vs. very light vs. heavier) among college students across 2.5 years and determine if the use of ATPs is related to these transitions. Methods: This study used six waves of data across 2.5 years from Project M-PACT. Participants who were 18–25 years of age at baseline were included in this study ( n = 4, 806). Cigarette smoking state was categorized as never smoking, non-current smoking [0 cigarettes smoked per day (cpd) in past month], very light smoking (< =5 cpd in past month), and heavier smoking (>5 in past month). Multi-state Markov models were used to examine temporal transitions in the four smoking states and examine the association of time-varying current ATP use with transitions in smoking states. Results: The probabilities of remaining in a smoking state decreased over time. The time-varying current ATP use was significantly related to increased odds of transitioning from never smoking to non-current smoking, from never smoking to very light smoking, and from non-current to very light smoking. Conclusions: Findings highlight the need to prevent ATP use among college students and in turn inhibit initiation and escalation of cigarette smoking.