According to a Connecticut survey, high school students who perceive secondhand smoke or vapor as less harmful are more likely to become users of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, or cannabis themselves.
The study, published in the Journal of Health Psychology, examined how the perceived harm of secondhand exposure relates to the use of conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smoked or vaporized cannabis among youth. In the spring of 2024, 4,760 high school students in Connecticut completed an online survey for the study.
The results showed that compared to students who had never used these substances, lower perceived harm of secondhand vapor or smoke significantly increased the odds of current e-cigarette, cigarette, and smoked or vaped cannabis use (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, a lower risk perception of the secondhand effects of smoked and vaporized cannabis was also associated with higher odds of having ever tried the products (p < 0.05).
The survey findings suggest that underestimating the risks of secondhand exposure is linked to active consumption. The authors concluded that public health programs should provide evidence-based information to adolescents regarding the potential risks of secondhand exposure to nicotine and cannabis products to promote informed decision-making.
In Brief
- In the spring of 2024, 4,760 Connecticut high school students participated in the online survey.
- Lower perceived harm of secondhand vapor and smoke significantly increased the odds of current e-cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis use.
- Underestimating the secondhand effects of cannabis was also linked to trial rates.
- The authors urge for public health education that presents the risks of secondhand nicotine and cannabis exposure.
Source: PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
This summary was created by artificial intelligence based on the original article.