Use of alternative tobacco products (ATP) like e-cigarettes has been increasing among the young adult population over the past decade. In addition, dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes has been reported among young adults. There are many factors that may influence cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual use including sociodemographics and psychosocial characteristics. In addition, use of alcohol and cannabis has been associated with cigarette and e-cigarette use. The determination of factors that differentiate trajectories of cigarette and e-cigarette use is crucial in the development of tailored prevention messaging and cessation efforts. This study examines the trajectories of young adults’ dual cigarette and e-cigarette use and the influence of sociodemographic, psychosocial, and substance use on these trajectories.
The study’s sample consisted of 3,006 young adults who participated in a 2-year, 5-wave longitudinal study, the Vape shop Advertising, Place characteristics, and Effects Surveillance (VAPES) study. During the wave 1 survey, young adults were assessed for depressive symptoms in the past 2 weeks, maltreatment and household challenges before age 18, and personality traits (extraversion, openness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and agreeableness). During this wave age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and past 6-month alcohol and cannabis use were also recorded. During all 5 waves of the study, participants were asked to report their level of cigarette and e-cigarette use. Data was analyzed using repeated measures latent profile analyses (RMLPAs).
Results of the data analysis indicated six profiles of cigarette and e-cigarette users: 1) Stable low-level or nonusers of cigarettes and e-cigarettes (66.3%); 2) Stable low-level cigarette users and stable high-level e-cigarette users (12.3%); 3) Stable mid-level cigarette users and stable low-level e-cigarette users (6.2%); 4) Stable low-level cigarette users and decreasing high-level e-cigarette users (6.0%); 5) Stable high-level cigarette users and stable low-level e-cigarette users (4.7%); 6) Decreasing high-level cigarette users and stable high-level e-cigarette users (4.5%). Those in Profile 2 presented with depressive symptoms, more adverse childhood experiences (ACE), extraversion, openness, and cannabis use. Profile 3 demonstrated greater depressive symptoms, ACEs, extraversion, conscientiousness, less openness, older age, and cannabis use. Those in Profile 4 had greater depressive symptoms, ACEs, openness, younger age, and cannabis use. Profile 5 had greater depressive symptoms, ACEs, extraversion, older age, and cannabis use. Lastly, Profile 6 presented with greater depressive symptoms, ACEs, extraversion, less conscientiousness, older age, and cannabis use
Takeaway: Sociodemographics, psychosocial factors, and cannabis use may impact cigarette and e-cigarette use trajectories among young adults.