Cited by 80Smoking Behavior and CessationSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesImpact of Technology on Adolescents

E-Cigarettes and the Drug Use Patterns of Adolescents

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Miech, Richard A., O’Malley, Patrick M., Johnston, Lloyd D., Patrick, Megan E.·2016·Nicotine & Tobacco Research

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the role of e-cigarettes in the drug use patterns of adolescents. Of specific interest is whether adolescent e-cigarette users fall into a group of (1) youth who do not use traditional drugs of abuse or (2) polysubstance users. METHODS: Using latent class analysis, we identify major "classes" of substance users on the basis of recent use of e-cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes, and prescription drugs. Analyses are conducted separately for adolescents in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades. Data come from 16 615 participants in the 2014 Monitoring the Future survey. RESULTS: Youth who do not use traditional drugs of abuse account for about 50% of e-cigarette users in 8th grade, 35% in 10th grade, and 17% in 12th grade. These youth come from a large "low-level users" group found in each grade, characterized by low probability of use for all substances (e-cigarette probability in this group for 8th graders = .046; 10th graders = .071; 12th graders = .027). Other e-cigarette users come from a smaller, "poly-users" group found in each grade, characterized by high-to-moderate probabilities (.83-.21) of using e-cigarettes and other substances. Specific to 12th grade is a third, additional polysubstance group characterized by high likelihood of e-cigarette use (.93). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of e-cigarette users who do not use traditional drugs of abuse is larger at younger ages. Longitudinal panel studies starting at 8th and 10th grades may best inform the current debate on whether e-cigarette use is a risk or protective factor for future transition to the use of other substances. IMPLICATIONS: The proportion of e-cigarette users who do not use traditional drugs of abuse is larger at younger ages. Longitudinal panel studies starting at 8th and 10th grades may best inform the current debate on whether e-cigarette use is a risk or protective factor for future transition to the use of other substances.

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  • Exposure to e-cigarettes within the past 30 days is related to an increase in the prevalence of marijuana use and prescription drug use by at least four times in the 8th and 10th grades and by at least three times in the 12th grade.

    “exposure to e-cigarettes within the past 30 days is related to an increase in the prevalence of marijuana use and prescription drug use by at least four times in the 8th and 10th grades and by at least three times in the 12th grade [34].”

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2 of the 20 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Miech RA, Johnston L, O'Malley PM, Bachman JG, Schulenberg JE. E-cigarettes surpass tobacco cigarettes among teens. National Press Release. December 16, 2014. http://monitoringthefuture.org/ pressreleases/14cigpr_complete.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2015.
  2. Muthén LK, Muthén B, Bengt O. Mplus User's Guide. Seventh Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén; 2012.

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Authors
Miech, R. A., O’Malley, P. M., Johnston, L. D., & Patrick, M. E.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Venue
Nicotine & Tobacco Research
Published
2015-09-27
Volume
18
Issue
5
Pages
654-659
ISSN
  • 1462-2203 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-994X
OpenAlex
W2178235514
Cited by
80
References
20
Citations by year
2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 9
FWCI
6.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nicotine & Tobacco Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA001411)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
Keywords
electronic cigarettes, adolescent substance use, polydrug use, drug use patterns, alcohol consumption, cannabis use, cigarette smoking, prescription drug use, age differences in substance use, Monitoring the Future
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Substance-Related Disorders, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

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