UC San Diego

Background

Young adult use of alternative nicotine and tobacco products (ANTPs) has increased dramatically since 2000. While recent studies address ANTP prevalence, relatively little is known about predictors of use. This secondary analysis examined demographic, personality, and other substance use factors as predictors of past month ANTP use.

Methods

Community participants (n=319; 51% female) completed an online survey during the initial stage of a larger study, for which all were required to have smoked cigarettes and consumed alcohol in the past month. The survey assessed demographics, impulsivity, and past-month frequency of cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use.

Results

The majority (61%) of participants endorsed ANTP use in the past 30days. The odds of ANTP use were associated with Caucasian ethnicity, younger age, more frequent alcohol use, and with the sensation seeking and positive urgency components of impulsivity.

Conclusion

These data suggest that ANTP use among young adults is a substantial problem, and that there is a need for interventions that target tobacco use generally rather than cigarette smoking only.