The Intersection of Tobacco and Marijuana Use in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Abstract

* Abbreviation: e-cigarette — : electronic cigarette In “Tobacco and Marijuana Use Among US College and Noncollege Young Adults, 2002–2016”, Odani et al1 describe trends from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health on tobacco and marijuana use among respondents 18 to 22 years of age. They conclude that exclusive smoked tobacco use has decreased, whereas exclusive marijuana use has increased over the study period.1 This decline in smoked tobacco is encouraging because one of the greatest public health successes in the United States is the decrease in combusted tobacco use, specifically cigarettes, as seen in this 15-year study. When considering the intersection of adolescent and young adult use of tobacco products and marijuana, another factor that should be considered is the dramatic rise in the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). E-cigarettes, also known as vape devices or by brand name products such as Juul, are the most common tobacco product used among youth.2 Historically, these products have almost always … Address correspondence to Susan C. Walley, MD, CTTS, FAAP, Children’s of Alabama, 1600 7th Ave S, McWane Suite 108, Birmingham, AL 35233. E-mail: swalley{at}peds.uab.edu