Preventive Medicine Reports (Dec 2021)
Self-reported changes in cannabis vaping among US adolescents and young adults early in the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Cannabis vaping may increase susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and related outcomes; however, little is known about the impact of the pandemic on cannabis vaping among US young populations. This study examined self-reported changes in cannabis vaping since the pandemic and factors associated with changes. A national, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4,351 US adolescents and young adults (13–24 years old) in May 2020. Of those, 1,553 participants who reported ever vaping cannabis were included in the analytic sample. Binary outcome was self-reported increase in cannabis vaping (more hours/times of vaping in a day) vs. no change/quitting/reducing/switching. Weighted logistic regression examined associations between independent variables (i.e., risk perceptions of vaping, cannabis dependence, and stress/anxiety) and the outcome, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Overall, 6.8% reported increasing cannabis vaping since the pandemic, 37.0% quitting or reducing vaping in general, and 42.3% no change. Participants were more likely to report increased cannabis vaping if they perceived “Vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes” (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.66; 95%CI = 1.43–9.38), reported more dependence on cannabis vaping (AOR = 1.59; 95%CI = 1.11–2.27), and were female (AOR = 2.80; 95%CI = 1.23–6.36). Those perceiving “Vaping cannabis can cause lung injuries” were less likely to increase cannabis vaping (AOR = 0.37; 95%CI = 0.18–0.76). Findings indicate that adolescent and young adult ever-cannabis vapers were more likely to report decreasing vaping generally than increasing cannabis vaping and most did not change use during the early pandemic. Educational campaigns should address potential health risks of cannabis vaping and focus on lung health to reduce use among young people during and following the pandemic.
