Exploring young adults' e-cigarette use behavior during COVID-19

Authors

Michelle Clausen, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Katelyn F. Romm, TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, United States.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Annie C. Ciceron, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Caroline Fuss, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Breesa Bennett, Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Daisy Le, Department of Policy, Populations, and Systems, School of Nursing, George Washington University, Washington, United States.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Journal

Tobacco prevention & cessation

Volume

8

DOI

10.18332/tpc/155332

Keywords

cannabidiol; cannabinoids; prevention; public health policy; risk perceptions; young adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Changes in daily life related to COVID-19 have impacted e-cigarette use, particularly in young adults. This cross-sectional mixed-methods study explored young adults' perceptions regarding how COVID-19 influenced their e-cigarette use. METHODS: We analyzed Fall 2020 survey data from 726 past 6-month e-cigarette users (mean age=24.15 years, 51.1% female, 35.5% sexual minority, 4.4% Black, 10.2% Asian, 12.1% Hispanic) and Spring 2021 semi-structured interview data among a subset of 40 participants (mean age=26.30 years, 35.0% female, 45.0% sexual minority, 5.0% Black, 22.5% Asian, 12.5% Hispanic). Participants were drawn from 6 metropolitan statistical areas with varied tobacco and cannabis legislative contexts. RESULTS: Among survey participants, 44.4% also smoked cigarettes, 54.0% other tobacco products, and 60.1% used cannabis. They reported various changes in their daily lives, including changes in the nature and/or status of employment (e.g. 15.3% were laid off, 72.8% experienced household income loss). Regarding changes in e-cigarette use since COVID-19, 22.6% tried to cut down and 16.0% tried to quit. Interview participants commonly indicated that they increased their use due to stress, boredom, changes in accessibility, and/or changes to daily environment that made e-cigarette use more feasible. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of promoting opportunities for young adults to build relationships to decrease stress, foster a sense of belonging, and increase quality of life (e.g. increasing the accessibility to mental health and social support services, intentionally engaging young adults in pandemic-appropriate community-building and extracurricular activities). This research may help to inform future e-cigarette cessation interventions that consider the unique challenges of societal stressors, such as pandemics.

APA Citation

Clausen, Michelle; Romm, Katelyn F.; Berg, Carla J.; Ciceron, Annie C.; Fuss, Caroline; Bennett, Breesa; and Le, Daisy, "Exploring young adults' e-cigarette use behavior during COVID-19" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 2090.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/2090

Department

Nursing Faculty Publications