Expectancies for and Pleasure from Simultaneous Alcohol and E-Cigarette Use among Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Young adults’ use of alcohol and e-cigarettes are of public health concern, as they report among the highest prevalence for use of both substances. Many young adults use alcohol and e-cigarettes simultaneously (i.e., at the same time with overlapping effects) despite heightened risk for adverse effects. Objectives: This study assessed simultaneous use expectancies and changes in pleasure from e-cigarettes as a function of alcohol consumption and simultaneous use frequency. Participants (N = 408; Mage = 23.64 years; 52.7% female) recruited through Amazon MTurk completed measures of alcohol and e-cigarette use, and expectancies, pleasure and frequency of simultaneous use. Results: Separate linear regression models revealed that alcohol consumption was positively associated with expectancies for simultaneous use of e-cigarettes/alcohol and pleasure from simultaneous use (ps ≤ .015). As individuals engaged in simultaneous use more frequently, they also reported greater expectancies for, and increased pleasure from, simultaneous use (ps < .001). Conclusions/Importance: Expectancies for simultaneous use may be greatest among young adults who consume more alcohol and engage in simultaneous use more frequently. Increased pleasure from e-cigarettes while drinking suggests that positive reinforcement may be implicated in simultaneous use patterns. Future research should examine the role of pleasure in simultaneous use trajectories.

Keywords:

• Alcohol
• young adults
• outcome expectancies
• e-cigarettes
• simultaneous use
• ENDS

Data availability

Data is available upon request from the corresponding author.

Disclosure of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by an Undergraduate Research Award ($1000) through the External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center at Binghamton University (SUNY) and a Harpur High-Impact Student Learning Endowment ($4000) through the Harpur Edge Office at Binghamton University (SUNY) awarded to XX. The funding source had no other role other than financial support.