Sex Difference in the Association between Electronic Cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking among U.S. Adolescents

Findings from the Path Study Waves 1–4

Bibliographic Data

ID17801215
AuthorsZongshuan Duan (0000-0002-2598-1752, Georgia State University), Yu Wang (0009-0005-4222-2626, Georgia State University), Jidong Huang (0000-0002-3425-9155, Georgia State University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume18
Issue4
Pages1695-1695
Publication date2021-02-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18041695
PMID33578770
OpenAlexW3128168219
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited39

E-cigarettes are the most-used tobacco products among U.S. adolescents. Emerging evidence suggests that adolescents using e-cigarettes are at elevated risk for initiating cigarette smoking. However, whether this risk may differ by sex remains unknown. This study analyzed data from Wave 1 to 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey. Generalized estimation equations (GEE) were performed to estimate the associations between baseline e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, mental health conditions, and other tobacco use. Effect modifications by sex were examined. Multivariate analyses showed that, among baseline never cigarette smokers, past-30-day e-cigarette use at baseline waves was significantly associated with past-30-day cigarette smoking at follow-up waves (aOR = 3.90, 95% CI: 2.51-6.08). This association was significantly stronger for boys (aOR = 6.17, 95% CI: 2.43-15.68) than for girls (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.14-8.33). Additionally, using other tobacco products, older age, and having severe externalizing mental health problems at baseline were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of cigarette smoking at follow-up. The prospective association between e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking differs by sex among U.S. adolescents. Sex-specific tobacco control interventions may be warranted to curb the youth tobacco use epidemic

Cigarette smoking · Electronic cigarette · Environmental health · Gee · Generalized estimating equation · Longitudinal study · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Demography · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · School Health and Nursing Education · Smoking Behavior and Cessation · Internal Medicine

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