E-cigarette use and concurrent risk behaviors among adolescents

Purpose: Although electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is on the rise among adolescents, its relationship with risk behaviors is unclear. This study aimed to examine whether e-cigarette use was related to other risk behaviors and whether age and sex play a role in those associations. Methods: Data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System was used. Weighted logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among variables of interest. Fundings: The results showed that e-cigarette users, compared to nonusers, had higher odds of using other types of substances, as well as being involved in other risk behaviors including driving-related behaviors, sexual activity-related behaviors, and violence-related behaviors. Furthermore, some of these relationships are moderated by age and sex. Discussion: Our findings suggest that e-cigarette use is linked to other risk behaviors among adolescents. Policy makers and educators should address multiple risk behaviors as part of comprehensive tobacco-free policies and youth substance use prevention programs.