This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Cannabis use linked to cigarette smoking initiation, persistence, relapse
Cannabis use was associated with increased likelihood of cigarette smoking initiation, persistence and relapse in adults during a 3-year period, according to study findings.
“Developing a better understanding of the relationship between marijuana use and cigarette use transitions is critical and timely as cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of premature death and disease, and use of cannabis is on the rise in the U.S.,” Renee Goodwin, PhD, MPH, department of epidemiology, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, said in a press release.
Using longitudinal data from a representative sample of 34,639 adults in the United States, researchers examined the link between cannabis use and cigarette smoking initiation, persistence and relapse over a 3-year period. Respondents completed surveys in two waves from 2001 to 2002 (wave 1) and 2004 to 2005 (wave 2), and answered questions about cannabis use and smoking status. The investigators calculated the risk for cigarette use at the second wave among first wave nonsmokers, daily smokers, nondaily smokers and former smokers by first wave cannabis use.
Analysis showed that adults who used cannabis in wave 1 were more likely to become daily (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.1-4) and nondaily (OR = 4.45; 95% CI, 3.97-5) cigarette smokers by wave 2, and to relapse if they formerly smoked (daily OR = 4.18; 95% CI, 3.01-5.81; nondaily OR = 5.24; 95% CI, 3.74-7.34). Use of cannabis in wave 1 was also linked to reduced odds of smoking cessation in wave 2 among those who smoked cigarettes daily (OR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.51-0.64).
After adjusting for demographics and psychiatric conditions, these correlations remained significant for daily smoking initiation (OR = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06-1.93) and relapse (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1-2.16) as well as for smoking cessation (OR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.69-0.87). After adjusting for these covariate and alcohol/substance use disorders, these links remained significant for nondaily smoking initiation (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.59-2.16) and relapse (OR = 1.63; 95% CI, 1.05-2.54) as well.
“Future research that can examine how these potential mechanisms relate specifically to initiation, relapse and cessation of cigarette use among those using cannabis is needed along with investigations of potential moderators of these relationships,” Goodwin and colleagues wrote in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. “Additional attention to cannabis use in tobacco control efforts and clinical settings aimed at reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking and long-term smoking-related negative consequences may be warranted.” – by Savannah Demko
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.