Social Influences on College Student Use of Tobacco Products, Alcohol, and Marijuana.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated associations between the use of alternative tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, little cigars/cigarillos, hookah, e-cigarettes), alcohol, and marijuana among college students and use by their parents, siblings, and friends. A large literature exists for social influences on adolescent substance use, but few studies have focused on college samples.

PARTICIPANTS

3,418 college students from seven universities in the state of Georgia participated in this study.

METHODS

Web-based surveys were completed by students (45-60 minutes) during the fall semester, 2014.

RESULTS

Findings largely indicated specificity of associations between college student use and use by social influences for similar tobacco products and other substances. For each tobacco product or substance, the highest associations were for friends' use. Structural equation analyses further supported the specificity of associations and highlighted the relative strength of friends' use on student use.

CONCLUSION

Similar to findings with adolescents, the use of alternative tobacco products, alcohol, and marijuana by parents, siblings, and friends is associated with higher levels of use among college students, and friends' use was the most potent correlate for this phase of the lifespan.