Changes in cigarette and e-cigarette use among US young adults from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic: News exposure and risk perceptions as potential predictors

Authors

Breesa Bennett, Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Katelyn F. Romm, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, United States.

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

1-1-2022

Journal

Tobacco prevention & cessation

Volume

8

DOI

10.18332/tpc/148245

Keywords

COVID-19; cessation; cigarette; electronic cigarette; tobacco; young adults

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 impacted cigarette and e-cigarette use behaviors among some individuals. This study examined COVID-19 factors and prior substance use as predictors of cigarette and e-cigarette cessation and initiation among US young adults from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We analyzed data from Wave 3 (Sept-Dec 2019) and Wave 5 (Sept-Dec 2020) of a 2-year, 5-wave longitudinal study of young adults across six US metropolitan areas. We examined COVID-19 news exposure, perceived smoking and e-cigarette use risk, and prior substance use, as predictors of cigarette and e-cigarette cessation and initiation, respectively. RESULTS: Of W3 cigarette users (n=516), 37.8% (n=195) quit cigarettes at W5; predictors of cessation included younger age, fewer days of W3 past-month cigarette use, and no W3 e-cigarette use. Of W3 e-cigarette users (n=687), 38.7% (n=266) quit e-cigarettes at W5; predictors included greater COVID-19 news exposure, fewer days of W3 past-month e-cigarette use, and no W3 cigarette use. Of W3 cigarette non-users (n=1693), 5.0% (n=85) initiated cigarettes at W5; predictors of initiation included younger age, lower perceived smoking risk, lifetime cigarette and e-cigarette use, and W3 e-cigarette use. Of W3 e-cigarette non-users (n=1522), 6.3% (n=96) initiated e-cigarettes at W5; predictors included younger age, less news exposure, lifetime cigarette and e-cigarette use, and W3 cigarette use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need to address cigarette and e-cigarette co-use and related risk perceptions in prevention and cessation interventions.

APA Citation

Bennett, Breesa; Romm, Katelyn F.; and Berg, Carla J., "Changes in cigarette and e-cigarette use among US young adults from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic: News exposure and risk perceptions as potential predictors" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 988.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/988

Department

Epidemiology