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The Effects of E-Cigarette Use on Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Symptoms in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Young Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Pallav Pokhrel

    (Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 701 Ilalo St., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Taha Elwir

    (Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 701 Ilalo St., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Hannah Mettias

    (John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, 651 Ilalo St., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Crissy T. Kawamoto

    (Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 701 Ilalo St., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

  • Nabin Oli

    (Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, 2239 N School St., Honolulu, HI 96819, USA)

  • Scott K. Okamoto

    (Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 701 Ilalo St., Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
    School of Social Work, College of Health & Society, Hawai‘i Pacific University, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA)

Abstract

Background: We examined e-cigarette use as a prospective predictor of alcohol and marijuana abuse symptoms in a sample consisting of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI), Filipino, Asian (i.e., Japanese, Chinese, Korean), and White young adults. NHPI represent a highly vulnerable group with regard to substance use and are severely understudied. Methods: Data were collected from 1463 young adults (M age = 22.2, SD = 3.2; 59.5% women) enrolled across community colleges in Hawai‘i at two time-points six months apart. Results: Higher frequency of e-cigarette use at baseline was predictive of higher alcohol (B = 0.06, SE = 0.02, p < 0.01) and marijuana (B = 0.06, SE = 0.02, p < 0.01) use problems at six-month follow up, adjusting for baseline cigarette smoking, problem alcohol/marijuana use, sensation seeking, and demographic variables. Ethnicity was found to significantly moderate the relationship between baseline e-cigarette use and problem marijuana use later, such that White and NHPI ethnicities were particularly vulnerable to the effects of e-cigarette use on problem marijuana use. Conclusion: NHPI are often combined with Asians in national surveys, which obfuscates the higher risks faced by NHPI compared with groups that are routinely classified as Asians (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos). The current research highlights the NHPI’s vulnerability in terms of the effects of e-cigarette use on marijuana and alcohol abuse symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Pallav Pokhrel & Taha Elwir & Hannah Mettias & Crissy T. Kawamoto & Nabin Oli & Scott K. Okamoto, 2021. "The Effects of E-Cigarette Use on Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Symptoms in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13159-:d:701785
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    Cited by:

    1. Pallav Pokhrel & Crissy T. Kawamoto & Hannah Mettias & Taha Elwir & Thaddeus Herzog, 2023. "Predictors of Discontinued E-Cigarette Use at One-Year Follow-Up in a Sample of Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Steve Sussman & Deborah Louise Sinclair, 2022. "Substance and Behavioral Addictions, and Their Consequences among Vulnerable Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-5, May.

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