Young Adults Engaged in Other Risky Behaviors More Likely to Use E-Cigarettes

BUFFALO, N.Y. — College students who use tobacco products, marijuana and/or binge drink also are more likely to use electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, according to results of a survey conducted by researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University at Buffalo (UB). Results were published online ahead of print in the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

“These notable results found that many college students use e-cigarettes as part of a mix of health-risk behaviors, including alcohol and marijuana,” says Martin Mahoney, MD, PhD, Professor of Oncology in the Departments of Medicine and Health Behavior at Roswell Park, and Professor in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at UB. “E-cigarette use among young people is growing rapidly. We hope that this research will help to inform public health professionals as they consider policy decisions regarding these devices.”

Using a web-based survey, researchers evaluated the use of e-cigarettes and other health-risk behaviors, such as tobacco use, patterns of alcohol and marijuana use, among 1,437 college students 18-23 years of age who attended four colleges/universities in upstate New York in 2013. Results showed:

• More than 95% of college students surveyed were aware of what e-cigarettes are.
• Nearly 30% reported having ever used e-cigarettes.
• Younger students, males, non-Hispanic whites, those who report average or below average academic ability, those who have ever smoked, and those who have experimented with traditional cigarettes were most likely to currently or previously use e-cigarettes.
• Students who viewed e-cigarettes as “less harmful” than other tobacco products were more likely to use e-cigarettes.
• Nearly 87% reported they used another nicotine product first before trying e-cigarettes.
• Those who used e-cigarettes said they also have used tobacco products other than cigarettes (34.7%) and/or alcohol (64.7%) in the past 30 days; and/or used marijuana (35.6%) in the past year.

Megan Saddleson, a doctoral student in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior at UB and the paper’s first author, adds, “The awareness and popularity of e-cigarettes among college-aged students is a concern. However, given the results of this study, prevention efforts may be better targeted to all types of drug use, not just e-cigarettes alone.”

The study title is: “Risky Behaviors, E-Cigarette Use and Susceptibility of Use Among College Students.” Dr. Mahoney reports that he has previously served as a consultant to Pfizer regarding Chantix and the topic of smoking cessation, has received peer-reviewed research funding from Pfizer’s Global Research Award for Nicotine Dependence (GRAND), has conducted smoking-cessation clinical trials and has served as a paid expert witness in litigation against the tobacco industry. He also currently serves as the Medical Director for the New York State Smokers’ Quitline.

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About UB:
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's nearly 30,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

About Roswell Park:
The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.