scholarly journals Friends and family matter Most: a trend analysis of increasing e-cigarette use among Irish teenagers and socio-demographic, personal, peer and familial associations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Hanafin ◽  
Salome Sunday ◽  
Luke Clancy

Abstract Background E-cigarette ever-use and current-use among teenagers has increased worldwide, including in Ireland. Methods We use data from two Irish waves (2015, 2019) of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD) to investigate gender and teenage e-cigarette use (n = 3421 16-year-olds). Using chi-square analyses, we report changes in e-cigarette ever-use, current-use, and associated variables. Using multivariable logistic regression, we analyse the increase in e-cigarette use and socio-demographic, personal, peer and familial associations, focusing on gender differences. Results E-cigarette ever-use increased from 23% in 2015 to 37% in 2019, and current-use from 10 to 18%. Compared with 2015, the odds in 2019, of becoming both an e-cigarette ever-user and current-user, were significantly higher for girls than boys (ever-use: AOR 2.67 vs 2.04; current-use: AOR 3.11 vs 1.96). Smoking and e-cigarette use are linked but never-smokers who try e-cigarettes rose significantly from 33 to 67% and those using e-cigarettes to quit smoking decreased significantly from 17 to 3%. Almost two-thirds of respondents (66%) in 2019 said that their reason for trying e-cigarettes was “out of curiosity”. Peer smoking is significantly associated with likelihood of e-cigarette ever-use (AOR 6.52) and current-use (AOR 5.45). If “Most/All friends smoke”, odds were significantly higher for boys than for girls (ever-use AOR 7.07 vs 6.23; current-use AOR 5.90 vs 5.31). Less parental monitoring is significantly associated with greater e-cigarette ever-use (AOR 3.96) and current-use (4.48), and having parents who usually don’t know where their child is on Saturday nights was also associated with significantly higher odds for boys than for girls (ever-use AOR 5.42 vs 3.33; current-use AOR 5.50 vs 3.50). Conclusion Respondents had significantly higher odds of being e-cigarette ever- and current-users in 2019 compared with 2015. Use is higher among boys but girls are increasingly at risk. Two-thirds had never smoked cigarettes at first e-cigarette use; two-thirds used out of curiosity but few (3%) for smoking cessation. The most prominent risk factors for e-cigarette use were peer- and parent-related, especially so for boys. Interventions that take account of friend and family influences may provide mechanisms for preventing an increasing risk of nicotine addiction.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Hanafin ◽  
Salome Sunday ◽  
Luke Clancy

Abstract E-cigarette ever-use and current-use among teenagers has been increasing worldwide, including in Ireland. Boys are widely observed to have increased prevalence compared with girls.We use data from two waves of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD) in Ireland and focus on gender and teenage e-cigarette use. We examine changes in ever and current-use among 16-year-olds (n = 3,421) between 2015 and 2019. We use multivariable logistic regression analyses to explore relative and gendered effects of covariates on teenage e-cigarette use.E-cigarette ever-use increased from 23–39% and current-use from 10–18%, (in 2015 vs 2019, respectively). The rate of increase in ever-use is significantly greater for girls AOR 2.67 (C.I. 2.02, 3.54) vs 2.04 (C.I. 1.55, 2.68) for boys. Smoking and e-cigarette use are linked but never-smokers who try e-cigarettes have risen from 33–67%. Peer smoking is also significantly associated with e-cigarette ever- and current-use, particularly for boys if “Most/All friends smoke” AOR 5.90 (C.I. 3.31, 10.52) vs 3.50 (C.I. 1.79, 6.84) for girls. Less parental monitoring is associated with greater e-cigarette use, for boys AOR 5.50 (C.I. 2.85, 10.61) vs AOR 5.31 (C.I. 3.01, 9.37) for girls.Boys currently have a higher prevalence of e-cigarette use but girls are increasingly at risk. Targeting by industry through advertising, gaming and social media may contribute to use. Peer influences and parental monitoring are significant risk factors for use and provide a mechanism for intervention to prevent an increasing risk of nicotine addiction.


Author(s):  
Joan Hanafin ◽  
Salome Sunday ◽  
Luke Clancy

Abstract Aim Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15–17-year-olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use. Subject and methods A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3495 students aged 15, 16, and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression [providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)] analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI:0.32–0.96, p < .01), younger (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17–0.67, p = < .05), to participate in sport (AOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.05–4.65, p < .05), to have higher-educated parents (maternal higher education: AOR = 27.54, 95% CI: 1.50–505.77, p = < .05, paternal higher education: AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.00–5.91, p < .05), and less likely to consider their families better off (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65, p < .01), or to report familial support (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95, p < .05). They were more likely to be cigarette smokers (AOR = 7.22, 95% CI: 3.97–13.12, p < .001), to report problem cannabis use (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.40–6.93, p < .01), to be ‘binge’ drinkers (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI : 1.00–3.32, p = .054), and to have friends who get drunk (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI: 1.34–20.86, p < .05). Conclusion Boys, smokers, binge drinkers, problem cannabis users, and sport-playing teenagers from higher-educated families, are at particular risk. As the number of young people using e-cigarettes continues to rise, including teenagers who have never smoked, improved regulation of e-cigarettes, similar to other tobacco-related products, is needed urgently to prevent this worrying new trend of initiation into nicotine addiction.


Author(s):  
Adam M Leventhal ◽  
Hongying Dai

Abstract Background Evidence of US adult flavored e-cigarette use prevalence stratified by age, smoking status, and purpose for vaping (ie, quitting smoking, to use when or where smoking is not allowed) can inform policies that reduce the tobacco-related cancer burden. Methods Current flavored e-cigarette use (use 1 or more nontobacco flavors) prevalence estimates were compared across subpopulation groups using 2-sided statistical significance tests in the July 2018 Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement, a nationally representative cross-sectional adult survey (n = 46 759). Results Current flavored e-cigarette use was reported by 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47% to 1.69%) of all respondents. Among current vapers, the percentage of those who used flavored e-cigarettes was higher for adults aged 18-24 years (89.6%), 25-34 years (86.7%), and 35-44 years (76.0%) than for adults aged 45 years and older (60.4%, Ps &lt; .001); was higher in never smokers (89.8%) than current (72.9%), long-term former (73.9%), and recent former (80.4%) smokers (Ps ≤ .009); was higher in smokers who reportedly did (78.9%) vs did not (71.1%) use e-cigarettes to vape where or when smoking is not allowed (P = .005); and did not differ between smokers who reportedly did (75.0%) vs did not (73.9%) vape to quit smoking (P = .71). Individuals who vaped to quit smoking and currently used flavored e-cigarettes constituted 0.9% (95% CI = 0.82% to 0.99%) of all adults (weighted N = 2 251 000, 95% CI = 2 046 000 to 2 476 000) and 57.2% of current flavored e-cigarette users. Conclusions Flavored e-cigarette use prevalence was low among US adults overall but common for current vapers. Flavored e-cigarette use was disproportionately prevalent among never smokers and other subpopulations that might experience harm from vaping.


Author(s):  
Spencer Kaspick ◽  
BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽  
Helen Heacock

  Background: Electronic cigarettes are a widely-used, yet still emerging technology. As such, there is relatively little data regarding the reasons why people take up their use. Many claim to use them as a smoking-cessation method. Concern exists that experimentation in non-smokers may lead to nicotine addiction and subsequent smoking. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary reasons for the commencement of electronic cigarette use, and to suggest way in which these findings could affect current policies and regulations pertaining to electronic cigarettes. Methods: A survey examining electronic cigarette use was prepared. The survey contained questions respecting primary motivation for use, frequency of use, present and former smoking status as well as agreement with common perception about electronic cigarettes. Basic demographic information was also collected. The survey was posted to “www.reddit.com” and was accessible to users who used electronic cigarettes themselves via the “/r/electronic_cigarettes” sub-Reddit for a period of five days. Once responses were collected, Chi-square tests of independence were run to determine if any associations existed. Responses were also compared to previous studies of a similar nature to see if any similarities existed. Results: In total, 155 responses were received. The majority of the respondents were males (89.7%) between the ages of 19 and 28 (47.7%). 30.32% listed their occupation as “student”, and almost three-quarters of the respondents had some post-secondary experience. 78.1% of respondents were former smokers, and 61.3% identified their primary reason for electronic cigarette use as “to quit smoking.” Chi-squared tests for association between responses yielded statistically-significant associations between being a previous smoker and believing that electronic-cigarettes are healthier than conventional cigarettes, and between gender (specifically being male) and reasons for electronic cigarette use (specifically “to quit smoking”). However, the latter result was possibly skewed by a higher response rate from males as opposed to females. Conclusion: The high proportion of previous smokers among electronic cigarette users suggested that quitting smoking was the most common reason individuals take up electronic cigarette usage. It is therefore suggested that studies be done to determine if their use is less harmful than that of conventional cigarettes, and that existing legislation regarding their use in public be modified in light of this evidence. It is also suggested that they be given consideration as a legitimate means of smoking cessation.  


Author(s):  
Harry Tattan-Birch ◽  
Olga Perski ◽  
Sarah Jackson ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Robert West ◽  
...  

AbstractAimsTo explore 1) associations between suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, hand washing, smoking status, e-cigarette use, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and 2) whether COVID-19 has prompted smoking and vaping quit attempts, and more smoking inside the home.DesignCross-sectional household surveys of a representative sample of the population in England from April–May 2020.ParticipantsThe sample included 3,285 adults aged ≥18 years.MeasurementsParticipants who reported they definitely or think they had coronavirus were classified as having a suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were asked how often they wash their hands after returning home, before eating, before preparing foods or before touching their face. They were also asked whether, due to COVID-19, they had i) attempted to quit smoking, ii) attempted to quit vaping, and iii) changed the amount they smoke inside the home.FindingsOdds of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection were significantly greater among current smokers (20.9%, adjusted odds ratio [ORadj]=1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.04–1.73) and long-term (>1-year) ex-smokers (16.1%, ORadj=1.33, 95%CI=1.05–1.68) than never smokers (14.5%). Recent (<1-year) ex-smokers had non-significantly greater odds of suspected infection (22.2%, ORadj=1.50, 95%CI=0.85–2.53, Bayes factor= 0.55–1.17). Bayes factors indicated there was sufficient evidence to rule out large differences in suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection by NRT use and medium differences by e-cigarette use. With the exception of hand washing before face touching, engagement in hand washing behaviours was high (>85%) regardless of nicotine use. A minority (12.2%) of past-year smokers who made a quit attempt in the past three months were triggered by COVID-19, and approximately one-in-ten current e-cigarette users reported attempting to quit vaping because of COVID-19. Most people reported smoking the same amount inside the home.ConclusionsIn a representative sample of the adult population in England, current smokers and long-term ex-smokers had higher odds of suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection than never smokers, but there were no large differences by NRT or e-cigarette use. In general, engagement in hand washing was high regardless of nicotine or tobacco use. A minority of past-year smokers and current e-cigarette users, respectively, attempted to quit smoking/vaping due to COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli Schwamm ◽  
Farzad Noubary ◽  
Nancy A Rigotti ◽  
Krishna P Reddy

Introduction Longitudinal surveys provide data to estimate transition probabilities between cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and dual use of both, facilitating projections of future use and the impact of policies. Methods We fit a continuous time Markov multi-state model for youth (ages 12-17y) and adults (≥18y) in Waves 1-4.5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) longitudinal survey and estimated smoking and e-cigarette transition frequencies, including initiation, cessation, and relapse. We validated transition frequency results in a microsimulation model by projecting smoking and e-cigarette use prevalence over time. Results There was more volatility in smoking and e-cigarette use among youth than among adults. For youth never smokers, annual smoking initiation among never/current/former e-cigarette users occurred in 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.6%)/8.8% (7.0-10.7%)/3.1% (2.1-4.2%), and current e-cigarette users were more likely to quit e-cigarettes than to initiate smoking (absolute difference in annual probability 46.5%, 38.7-54.2%). For adult current smokers, annual smoking cessation among never/current/former e-cigarette users occurred in 22.6% (20.9-24.3%)/14.5% (11.5-17.4%)/15.1% (12.1-18.2%). For adult current dual users, 14.5% quit smoking and 49.5% quit e-cigarettes annually. For adult former smokers, annual smoking relapse among never/current/former e-cigarette users occurred in 17.7% (15.8-19.6%)/29.3% (23.8-34.7%)/32.8% (27.1-38.6%). Using these transition probabilities in a microsimulation model accurately projected smoking and e-cigarette use prevalence at 12 and 24 months compared to PATH empirical data (root-mean-square error <0.7%). Discussion PATH Waves 1-4.5 contain sufficient data to generate smoking and e-cigarette use transition frequency estimates for youth and adults in a microsimulation model. E-cigarette use among youth is especially volatile.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Hanafin ◽  
Salome Sunday ◽  
Luke Clancy

Abstract Aim: Electronic cigarette use among Irish teenagers has risen significantly. In 2019, prevalence of current use (last 30 days) among 15-17-year olds was 17.3%. We examine social determinants of adolescent e-cigarette current use. Subject and Methods: A stratified random sample of 50 schools in Ireland was surveyed in 2019, part of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD), with 3,495 students aged 15, 16 and 17. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression (providing adjusted odds ratios (AORs)) analyses were performed using Stata version 16. Results: Current e-cigarette users were more likely to be male (AOR=0.55, 95% CI:0.32-0.96, p<.01), younger (AOR=0.34, 95% CI:0.17-0.67, p=<.05), to participate in sport (AOR=2.21, 95% CI:1.05-4.65, p<.05), to have higher-educated parents (maternal higher education: AOR=27.54, 95% CI:1.50-505.77, p=<.05, paternal higher education: AOR=2.44, 95% CI:1.00-5.91, p<.05), and less likely to consider their families better off (AOR=0.29, 95% CI:0.13-0.65, p<.01), or to report familial support (AOR=0.78, 95% CI:0.64-0.95, p<.05). They were more likely to be cigarette smokers (AOR=7.22, 95% CI:3.97-13.12, p<.001), to report problem cannabis use (AOR=3.12, 95% CI:1.40-6.93, p<.01), to be ‘binge’ drinkers (AOR=1.81, 95% CI:1.00-3.32, p=.054), and to have friends who get drunk (AOR=5.30, 95% CI:1.34-20.86, p<.05). Conclusion: Boys, smokers, binge drinkers, problem cannabis users, and sport-playing teenagers from higher-educated families, are at particular risk. As the number of young people using e-cigarettes continues to rise, including teenagers who have never smoked, improved regulation of e-cigarettes, similar to other tobacco-related products, is needed urgently to prevent this worrying new trend of initiation into nicotine addiction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Scalese ◽  
Olivia Curzio ◽  
Valentina Cutrupi ◽  
Luca Bastiani ◽  
Mercedes Gori ◽  
...  

Aims. The objectives of the study were to (a) investigate the prevalence risk of current drug users and (b) explore the association between parental monitoring, adolescent-parent relationship, family structure, financial status, and sensation-seeking and psychotropic substance use.Methods. Data were drawn from the 2002 Italian student population survey of the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs. The sample size was 10,790 adolescents, aged 15–19 years. Multivariate logistic analyses were performed.Findings. The prevalence of users was 27.3% (34.2% males; 21.6% females). Single-parent and reconstructed families were related to the greatest likelihood of substance use. A medium financial status and, for females, a satisfying relationship with father were protective factors. Probability of engaging in risk-taking behavior increased when parental knowledge decreased. Exploring deeper how parental monitoring could modify the relation between different traits of sensation seeking and substances use revealed the following: “thrill and adventure seeking,” within the case of a good monitoring, can help against the use of substances; “boredom susceptibility” is not associated with drug use, except when parental monitoring is weak.Conclusions. Specific subdimensions, associated with substance use, may be more amenable to prevention than general interventions on sensation-seeking personality. Family is the context that could promote health education.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noora Knaappila ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
Sari Fröjd ◽  
Nina Lindberg ◽  
Riittakerttu Kaltiala

Abstract Background Despite reduced sanctions and more permissive attitudes toward cannabis use in the USA and Europe, the prevalences of adolescent cannabis use have remained rather stable in the twenty-first century. However, whether trends in adolescent cannabis use differ between socioeconomic groups is not known. The aim of this study was to examine trends in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015. Methods A population-based school survey was conducted biennially among 14–16-year-old Finns between 2000 and 2015 (n = 761,278). Distributions for any and frequent cannabis use over time according to socioeconomic adversities were calculated using crosstabs and chi-square test. Associations between any and frequent cannabis use, time, and socioeconomic adversities were studied using binomial logistic regression results shown by odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results At the overall level, the prevalences of lifetime and frequent cannabis use varied only slightly between 2000 and 2015. Cannabis use was associated with socioeconomic adversities (parental unemployment in the past year, low parental education, and not living with both parents). The differences in any and frequent cannabis use between socioeconomic groups increased significantly over the study period. Conclusions Although the overall changes in the prevalence of adolescent cannabis use were modest, cannabis use increased markedly among adolescents with the most socioeconomic adversities. Socioeconomic adversities should be considered in the prevention of adolescent cannabis use.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document