Transitioning From Cigarettes to Electronic Cigarettes Increases Alcohol Consumption

• Published in: Substance use & misuse Vol. 51; no. 14; pp. 1838 - 1845
• Main Authors: Hershberger, Alexandra R., VanderVeen, J. Davis, Karyadi, Kenny A., Cyders, Melissa A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 05.12.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; alcohol; Alcohol abuse; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol related disorders; Alcohol use; Audits; Cigarettes; Community living; Consumption; Data collection; Drinking behavior; Drinks; e-cigarettes; Electronic cigarettes; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Female; former smokers; Health care; Health services; Humans; Identification; Internet; Male; Medical personnel; Medical research; Nicotine; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Products; Transitions; Virtual reality; alcohol; Cigarettes; e-cigarettes; former smokers; smoking
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1197940

Objective: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are a nicotine delivery device that have recently been linked to alcohol use. Many individuals that smoke cigarettes transition to e-cigs as an alternative to cigarette use, despite potential negative health effects of e-cigs. No research to date has examined how former smokers that have transitioned to e-cigs differ from former smokers that do not use e-cigs, particularly in relation to alcohol use. Further, no research has examined how former smokers that use e-cigs regularly or socially may differ in alcohol consumption. Method: Using an online community dwelling sample (Former smokers N = 198, mean age = 34.70, SD = 11.45, 56.1% female, 78.3% Caucasian, 37.9% e-cig users), the present study assessed smoking status and alcohol use, with the latter assessed using a timeline followback calendar and the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT). Results: In all former smokers, total drinks (b = 4.01, p = 0.02) and average drinks per drinking day (b = 0.61, p =.01) were both related to e-cig use status, with e-cig users reporting higher alcohol consumption. Among e-cig using former smokers, social users, but not regular users, showed positive relationships with AUDIT scores, b = 1.90, p =.02, total drinks, b = 9.12, p <.001, average drinks, b = 0.98, p =.006, and hazardous drinking status, OR = 3.21, p =.01. Conclusions: Findings suggest that: (1) former smokers who use e-cigs may have a potential for higher alcohol use; and (2) those who use e-cigs socially may be at heightened risk for hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption. This should be taken into consideration by healthcare providers.