Vaping, which is the use of e-cigarettes, has increased at rapid rates, especially among those between the ages of 18 and 25. Most college students fall into this age group, and this age group is known to be a vulnerable period for developing risky substance use behaviors. A recent study in Australia found that in 2023, one in five young adults vape. Vaping was initially marketed as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, which could have led to misconceptions about the harms of vaping. The goal of this study is to examine the proportion of college students that report vaping and the types of vaping product use, whether vapes are co-used with tobacco cigarettes, the level of knowledge about the legal and potential harms of vapes, and the correlates of vape use and vape-related knowledge.
This study took place in Queensland, Australia, and used data from the February 2022 baseline survey. It consisted of 716 first-year college students. All participants attended and lived at one of the six residential colleges located in Queensland. Socio-demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity, etc., were measured, as well as past-month substance use, mental health, knowledge of alcohol and other drug use, and vaping behavior. Roughly 62% of participants reported vaping in their lifetime.
Results of this study showed that males had higher odds of vaping, and the use of cigarettes, binge drinking, and cannabis use was associated with vaping. Overall, this study suggested that college is a time when most students initiated experimental use with vaping but less continued use. Despite some knowledge among college students on the health impacts and legalities of vaping, this study identified that many gaps in knowledge exist. Future research should be done to monitor vaping trends, nicotine cessation efforts, and long-term outcomes.
Takeaway: College was a time when most students initiated experimental use with vaping but less continued use, and the use of cigarettes, binge drinking, and cannabis use were associated with vaping.