Prospective and Daily Effects of Cannabis Use on Smoking Outcomes During a Self-Guided Quit Attempt

Introduction Past research suggests that cannabis use is a risk factor for relapse in people trying to quit smoking. Most people attempt to quit smoking without any assistance (ie, self-guided quitters), yet no one has examined the association between cannabis use and relapse among self-guided quitters. The current study examines how cannabis use might contribute to poorer smoking outcomes in a sample of self-guided quitters. Aims and Methods Data were taken from a study of unaided smoking cessation in 62 single-smoker couples. Quitters and their Partners completed baseline questionnaires and a 21-day ecological momentary assessment. This article examines Quitters’ and Partners’ past-year cannabis use reported at baseline and daily cannabis use during the ecological momentary assessment as predictors of prospective and daily smoking outcomes. Results We found very little evidence that past-year cannabis use was associated with poorer smoking outcomes. However, Quitters reported greater smoking on days when they or their Partners reported cannabis use. Conclusions This study produced evidence to support daily Quitter and Partner cannabis use as a risk factor for poor smoking outcomes. Smoking cessation programs might benefit from targeting cannabis use as well as taking a couples-oriented approach to treatment. Implications This article examined how cannabis use impacts smoking outcomes in a sample of self-guided quitters using prospective and daily diary analyses. We found very little evidence that past-year cannabis use was associated with poorer smoking outcomes. However, Quitters reported greater smoking on days when they or their Partners reported cannabis use. Findings suggest that smoking cessation programs might benefit from targeting cannabis use, as well as taking a couples-oriented approach to treatment.