Research supports an association between cigarette smoking and clinical depression. Given the high prevalence of alternative tobacco and nicotine product (ATP) use among college students, a recent study examined if ATP use by college students also associated with clinical depression. Study participants included young adults attending one of twenty-four universities in Texas (n=5,438). Participants completed an online survey where they self-reported past 30-day use of cigarettes and ATPs as well as past 7-day experience of depressive symptoms. Findings indicated that only e-cigarette use positively associated with depressive symptoms.
Take Away: In this study, e-cigarette use by college students positively associated with past 7-day depressive symptoms. The authors suggest future studies evaluate whether e-cigarette use elevates risk for depressive symptoms or vice versa, as well as re-examine this association with college students actually diagnosed with clinical depression.