Ann Arbor Times

A recent study by the University of Michigan has found that U.S. teens and young adults who vape are significantly more likely to start smoking cigarettes or using cannabis and other drugs over time. The research examined data from individuals aged 12 to 25 over an eight-year period, revealing a persistent risk for both adolescents and young adults.

“We found that this risk was persistent over time and was a risk for both adolescents and young adults,” said study author Rebecca Evans-Polce, research assistant professor at the U-M School of Nursing. “The risk for starting to use cannabis was the same regardless of whether someone was using e-cigarettes or was using other tobacco products.”

The study noted high risks in both age groups for initiating cigarette smoking after vaping or using other tobacco products. “The really high odds of cigarette initiation regardless of what type of nicotine or tobacco products you’re using is important,” Evans-Polce emphasized. She added that preventing the initiation of vaping could also reduce long-term cigarette use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 39% of teens report vaping by 12th grade, while 14% of young adults report having vaped in the past month. Other data indicate that people are starting cigarette smoking later in life, making it crucial to address vaping as a gateway behavior.

The findings showed an increasing link between nicotine or tobacco use and marijuana initiation over time, with a notable rise among those who vaped or used other tobacco products.

Evans-Polce highlighted the importance of developing prevention strategies targeting not just adolescents but also young adults. Preventing vaping may lead to fewer instances of starting cigarettes, marijuana, and other drugs among these populations.

The study appears in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.