The prospective association between the use of E-cigarettes and other psychoactive substances in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lucinda Lau, Aldo Alberto Conti, Zeynab Hemmati, Alex Baldacchino
Abstract
The use of electronic cigarettes by young people has increased exponentially in the past decade due to various health and social influences. E-cigarettes, particularly those containing nicotine, can cause health complications and addiction, which may result in a subsequent initiation of psychoactive substance use. This systematic review and meta- analysis evaluated the prospective association between e-cigarette use and subsequent use of psychoactive substances in young people aged 10-24 years. Pooling of data from the identified longitudinal studies showed that ever e-cigarette users have an increased likelihood for subsequent cannabis, alcohol, and unprescribed Ritalin/Adderall use compared to never e-cigarette users. The findings indicate a need for interventions to reduce e-cigarette use in adolescents and young adults.