Time-Specific Predictors of E-Cigarette and Cigarette Use Trajectory Classes From Preadolescence to Late Adolescence (2013–2020) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: In the US, youth e-cigarette use is more prevalent than cigarette use. Among younger adolescents in US middle schools, use of any nicotine/tobacco product is on the rise. Different factors may drive transitions from susceptibility to initiation, and less is known about early adolescent transitions. METHODS: Data were drawn from US early adolescents (aged 12-13 years) at Wave (W) 1 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study across 7 waves (2013-2020) into older adolescents (aged 18-19 years). Unweighted longitudinal latent class analyses identified trajectory classes of e-cigarette and cigarette susceptibility and use in separate models. Weighted multinomial logistic regression analyses examined time-specific predictors of divergent trajectories. RESULTS: Five e-cigarette classes (weighted 45.1% Never Use, 15.4% Susceptible, 6.9% Initiated only, 19.9% W5 Progressed/discontinued, and 12.7% Progressed/persisted) and 4 cigarette classes (weighted 61.2% Never Use, 21.3% Susceptible, 10.6% W4.5 Progressed/discontinued, and 6.9% Former Use) were identified. In 2020 (the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic), discontinued use of both products was observed. Only the e-cigarette model identified a class with persistent use through 2020. Daily social media use and advertising exposure were specifically important to susceptibility and initiation of e-cigarettes among younger adolescents. Best friend use, low perceptions of product harm, and substance use problems showed strong associations with trajectories of e-cigarettes and cigarettes. DISCUSSION: Trajectories for both products revealed a period of susceptibility before use that may be particularly amenable to early intervention. It is important to monitor daily social media use and advertising exposure to prevent e-cigarette susceptibility and initiation.
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health
Authors: Cassandra A. Stanton, Zhiqun Tang, Eva Sharma, Anikah H. Salim, MeLisa R. Creamer, Andrea L. Ruybal, Daniela Marshall, Ibrahim Zaganjor, Marushka L. Silveira, Derick L. Rivers, Babita Das, Charles Deljohn Carr, Janine C. Delahanty, Jia Wang, Heather L. Kimmel, Wilson M. Compton, Andrew J. Hyland, Jennifer L. Pearson
Institutions: Westat (United States), Georgetown University, Georgetown University Medical Center, United States Food and Drug Administration, Center for Tobacco Products, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Nevada, Reno
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,670
Funders: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, Office of Disease Prevention, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Center for Tobacco Products
Awards: G386049073, G537561352, G820013331
OpenAlex ID: W4410864355