The Effects of Cannabis Use: A Test Among Dual Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Users.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite greater rates of cannabis use among those that smoke combustible cigarettes, it is currently unknown whether cannabis use is related to e-cigarette dependence or maladaptive beliefs about combustible cigarettes. Therefore, the current study sought to identify whether adult dual users of combustible and e-cigarettes (ie, dual users) who also used cannabis differed from dual users who did not use cannabis on e-cigarette dependence severity, perceived barriers to quitting, and perception of risks and of benefits of e-cigarettes.

METHODS

Participants were 414 current dual users (48.3% female, M  = 35.1 years, SD = 10.0), 51% of whom were current cannabis users.

RESULTS

Dual users who reported current cannabis use evidenced more severe dependence on e-cigarettes (η  = 0.12), higher perceived barriers for quitting e-cigarettes (η  = 0.06), and greater perceived benefits (η  = 0.03) as well as higher perception of risks (η  = 0.03) for using e-cigarettes. The results were evident after controlling for the variance associated with sex, age, education, income, and frequency of e-cigarette use.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the current findings suggest cannabis may be an important type of substance use behavior that is relevant to e-cigarette dependence and beliefs about use and quitting among adult dual users.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

The present data extend current understanding of dual users by contextualizing cannabis use within e-cigarette and combustible cigarette use behaviors and highlight a potential substance use behavior that may be targetable in the framework of nicotine cessation. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).