SHORT REPORT
The relationship between past-month marijuana, cigarette, and
cigar use among older adults in the United States
| 1 | Institute for Health Promotion
and Disease Prevention Research,
Keck School of Medicine,
Department of Preventive
Medicine, University of Southern
California, California, United
States |
| 2 | Schroeder Institute for
Tobacco Research and Policy
Studies at Truth Initiative,
Washington, DC, United States |
| 3 | Case Comprehensive Cancer
Center School of Medicine,
Case Western Reserve
University, Ohio, United States |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Sabrina L. Smiley
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, California, United States.
Institute for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, California, United States.
Publish date: 2018-02-13
Submission date: 2017-05-31
Final revision date: 2018-01-21
Acceptance date: 2018-01-28
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2018;4(February):6
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
AddictionCessationDiseases, due to tobaccoE-cigarettesPrevention of tobacco usePublic PolicySmokingStudy, NationalStudy, Population Based
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Previous research indicates that marijuana use may be interrelated with combustible tobacco use among U.S. adolescents and young adults. However, little is known about this relationship during older adulthood. The purpose of this study was: 1) examine the prevalence of past-month marijuana, cigarette and cigar use, and 2) assess the associations between demographic and tobaccouse variables with past-month marijuana use, among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults 50 years and older.
Material and Methods:
Data are from the public-use files of the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The sample consisted of 6325 adults aged ≥50 years.
Results:
Overall, 2.98% (N=216) of the sample reported past-month marijuana use; higher prevalence was noted for those who were past-month users of cigarettes (15.62%, N=1162) and lower prevalence was noted for those who were past-month users of cigars (2.68%, N=176). After accounting for covariables, past-month cigarette use was the strongest predictor of past-month marijuana use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.19, 95% CI, 3.51-7.66). Additionally, past-month cigar use showed a positive association with past-month marijuana use (AOR=2.41, 95% CI, 1.23-4.72).
Conclusions:
Tobacco prevention, cessation, and control efforts that target older adults should be tailored effectively to address the use of marijuana and other combustible tobacco products.
Previous research indicates that marijuana use may be interrelated with combustible tobacco use among U.S. adolescents and young adults. However, little is known about this relationship during older adulthood. The purpose of this study was: 1) examine the prevalence of past-month marijuana, cigarette and cigar use, and 2) assess the associations between demographic and tobaccouse variables with past-month marijuana use, among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults 50 years and older.
Material and Methods:
Data are from the public-use files of the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The sample consisted of 6325 adults aged ≥50 years.
Results:
Overall, 2.98% (N=216) of the sample reported past-month marijuana use; higher prevalence was noted for those who were past-month users of cigarettes (15.62%, N=1162) and lower prevalence was noted for those who were past-month users of cigars (2.68%, N=176). After accounting for covariables, past-month cigarette use was the strongest predictor of past-month marijuana use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=5.19, 95% CI, 3.51-7.66). Additionally, past-month cigar use showed a positive association with past-month marijuana use (AOR=2.41, 95% CI, 1.23-4.72).
Conclusions:
Tobacco prevention, cessation, and control efforts that target older adults should be tailored effectively to address the use of marijuana and other combustible tobacco products.
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