Participatory research on the prevalence of Multi-Substance vaping in college students

Abstract

Objectives

To assess electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use and vaping behaviors and attitudes in college students.

Methods

A student-faculty partnership administered a cross-sectional survey to undergraduate students (N = 339) in 2019.

Results

49.8% of students reported using ENDS or vaping in the past 30 days. 48.9% of students who vaped reported vaping more than one substance in the past 30 days. The most commonly vaped substances were cannabis (34.9%), nicotine (26.7%), and flavor (19.2%). Reasons for initiating ENDS use were social (64.8%), for the high (40.8%), and for the flavor (32.4%). Both users and non-users believed ENDS were harmful and favored regulation.

Conclusions

Young people who use ENDS commonly vape more than one substance; a critical finding in light of the current vaping lung injury epidemic. The importance of social reasons for initiating ENDS and broad support for regulation suggest jurisdictions consider regulation to reduce ENDS use in young adults.

Keywords:

• Electronic nicotine delivery systems
• vaping
• college
• young adults
• nicotine
• cannabis

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United State of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of San José State University.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.