Actual and perceived E-cigarettes behaviors among a national sample of U.S. college students

Objective: Electronic cigarette use represents an important college health concern. This investigation assessed demographic and behavioral correlates associated with actual and perceived e-cigarette use among a national sample of American college students. Methods: Respondents (n = 19,861) comprised college students from over 40 distinct American higher education institutions. Multivariable logistic regression assessed whether (1) alcohol, tobacco or marijuana use were associated with e-cigarette use; (2) perceived peer use of alcohol, tobacco or marijuana were associated with perceived e-cigarette use. Results: Approximately 5% of survey respondents self-reported using e-cigarettes within the past month. More than 7 out of every 10 respondents, however, thought the 'typical student' was an e-cigarette user. As perceptions of typical student substance use increased, respondents were far more likely to contend the typical student used e-cigarettes. Discussion: In addition to adopting smoke-free campus policies, university officials should disseminate accurate information regarding e-cigarette behaviors of students.

Synthetic and Other Drug Use among High School Students: The Role of Perceived Prevalence, Access, and Harms

BACKGROUND

Synthetic and other drugs have become available to teens, yet little is known about risk factors of use.

OBJECTIVE

To examine adolescent use of one class of synthetic drugs and its association with perceptions about its prevalence, access, and risk of substance use.

METHODS

Adolescents from a convenience sample of 104 middle and high schools (N = 59,218) participated in an anonymous survey to assess school climate and substance use in 2013-2014. Multilevel logistic regression examined the association between risk for synthetic and other drug use, perceptions of substance use, and school-level characteristics.

RESULTS

Results indicated that 2,407 (4.3%) students reported synthetic and other drug use in the past 30 days. A large proportion of youth perceived drugs to be problematic at school but underestimated the harms associated with drug use. Participants also perceived tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs are easy to obtain. Risk factors for synthetic and other drug use included the perception that substance use was a large problem at school, ease of access to drugs, and limited harm associated with drug use. School enrollment and socio-economic status of students reduced odds of drug use. Similar trends were found regarding marijuana use. Conclusion/Importance: Synthetic and other drug use is an emerging public health concern. Many youth identified substances as problematic and easily accessible in their schools but underestimated their potential harms. Health and education professionals need to increase effective education around substance use, including common risk factors for synthetic drug use.