Research shows that vaping is linked to cigarette smoking, marijuana use and other drugs over time

American teens and young adults who vape are much more likely to start smoking cigarettes or using cannabis or other drugs, a University of Michigan study found. to appear in the diary Drug and alcohol addictionfound.

Most vaping studies focus on adolescents (12-17) over short time periods of about two years. Less is known about vaping in young adults (18-25) or the risk of starting other substances such as cigarettes, marijuana, or other drugs. To that end, researchers examined data from 12- to 25-year-olds over an eight-year period. They found that those who vaped were more likely to start smoking cigarettes, using marijuana, or starting other drugs during the study period.

“We found that this risk persisted over time and was a risk for both adolescents and young adults,” said study author Rebecca Evans-Polce, an assistant professor in the U-M School of Nursing. “The risk of starting to use cannabis was the same regardless of whether someone used e-cigarettes or other tobacco products.”

Findings for 12- to 17-year-olds during the study period:

• People who vaped and used other tobacco were 54 times more likely to start smoking, eight times more likely to start using marijuana, and three times more likely to start using other drugs.
• People who only vaped were 22 times more likely to start smoking, seven times more likely to start using marijuana, and three times more likely to start using other drugs.

For 18- to 25-year-olds during the study period:

• People who vaped and used other tobacco were 22 times more likely to start smoking, nine times more likely to start using marijuana, and three times more likely to start using other drugs.
• People who only vaped were 11 times more likely to start smoking, 6 times more likely to start using marijuana, and 2 times more likely to start using other drugs.

The high risk for both age groups to start smoking after vaping or using other tobacco products was alarming, Evans-Polce said.

“The really high likelihood of smoking initiation, regardless of the type of nicotine or tobacco products you’re using, is important,” she said. “I think it really highlights that to the extent that you can prevent yourself from starting vaping and other tobacco products, you’re going to go a long way toward preventing smoking initiation in the long run.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 39% of teens report vaping by 12th grade and 14% of young adults report vaping in the past month.

Other data suggest that people are starting to smoke later in life. Historically, people start smoking before they reach their 20s. So finding that vaping puts young adults at greater risk of smoking is important when thinking about ways to prevent people from starting smoking, Evans-Polce said.

The findings also showed that the association between nicotine or tobacco use and initiation of marijuana use increased over time. While marijuana use was more common among adolescents and young adults over the eight years of the study, the risk appeared to increase most dramatically for those who used vaping and other tobacco products.

Overall, the findings point to the need to develop strategies to prevent young adults from starting to vape, rather than just focusing on adolescents, Evans-Polce said. Preventing vaping could also lead to fewer adolescents and young adults starting to use cigarettes, marijuana and other drugs.