E-cigarette use is prevalent among college students and is a public health concern due to potential risks that arise from use. A recent study examined the incidence of use and relation between use and illicit drug use, mental health, and impulsivity.

In this study, over 3,500 students completed a survey assessing their past year use of e-cigarettes, alcohol and other drug use, mental health issues, and compulsive traits. 9.2% of the participants had used e-cigarettes in the past year. Those who had used e-cigarettes were more likely to be males, undergraduates, have lower GPAs, and be Caucasian.

Students who used e-cigarettes were generally found to be more impulsive and likely to take risks. E-cigarette use was found to be associated with higher levels of problematic alcohol and illicit drug use. E-cigarette use was also significantly associated with higher rates of PTSD, ADHD, and anxiety, and students who used e-cigarettes reported lower self-esteem. However, use was not found to be associated with depression, compulsive sexual behavior, or binge-eating disorder.

Take Away: E-cigarette use in college students is associated with problematic illicit drug and alcohol use, low self-esteem, and mental health disorders. Students with these characteristics should be focused on when creating e-cigarette reduction efforts.

Grant, J.E., Lust, K., Fridberg, D.J., King, A.C., Chamberlain, S.R. (2019). E-Cigarette Use (Vaping) is Associated with Illicit Drug Use, Mental Health Problems, and Impulsivity in University Students. Annual Review of Clinical Psychiatry.