The Impact of Electronic Cigarette and Inhaled Cannabis Co-Use on Cardiovascular Risk in Youth
Description: Cannabis use is increasing, and a large proportion of cannabis users also use tobacco products. Reports estimate that approximately 50% of cannabis users also smoke combustible commercial cigarettes (CCIGs). Although controversial, cannabis use has been associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Interestingly, the incidence of MI in adults who smoke both CCIGs and cannabis cigarettes is not significantly greater than that in adults who only smoke CCIGs, consistent with the notion that adverse cardiac effects of cannabis are obscured by the larger negative impact of CCIGs.
In young people, electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) have largely replaced CCIGs, and in fact, ECIG use has now reached epidemic proportions - with almost 50% of college-aged young adults having reported using ECIGs in the last year. ECIGs are largely perceived to be less harmful than CCIGs – but are not harmless. Additionally, the legalization of cannabis in many states, including California, have contributed to the perception that inhaled combusted cannabis is safe. Approximately 50% of college-aged young adults report inhaled cannabis use within the last year, with the majority reporting co-use (ECIG and inhaled cannabis). It is possible that substitution of ECIGs for CCIGs may unmask the adverse cardiovascular effects of inhaled cannabis. In fact, available data suggest that cannabis use or ECIG use may each have adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors, including sympathetic nerve activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, leading to premature atherosclerosis and augmented future cardiac risk. However, it remains unknown if these adverse effects overlap or are additive – or, of greater concern, are synergistic.
Currently there is a dearth of high-quality data to provide insight into early adverse effects of co-use of ECIGs and cannabis on these cardiovascular risk factors in youth. The current proposal will fill this void by combining our expertise in measuring key cardiovascular biomarkers in humans with our expertise in cannabis research, and our location on the UCLA campus, where prevalence of co-use is high. These data can then be used to inform policymakers and the general public about the dangers of inhaled cannabis and ECIG co-use, and may help counter the perception of cannabis safety that is undercutting present and future tobacco control progress.
Amount: $641,200
Funding type: grant
Funder scheme: High Impact Pilot Award
Start date: 2022-07-01
End date: 2025-06-30
Investigator: Holly Middlekauff
Institution: UCLA
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: T32IP4659
OpenAlex ID: G2881044178