Association of electronic cigarette use with self-reported difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions in US youth

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Electronic cigarette use (vaping) is a growing concern among adolescents.
• Cognitive difficulties, such as problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making, can significantly impact youth development and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between vaping, smoking, and dual use of tobacco products and self-reported serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions (DCRMD) in US youth.
• To explore potential differences in this association based on the age of vaping initiation and gender.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), including 18,535 youth.
• Employed multivariable weighted logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between tobacco product use and DCRMD, accounting for complex survey design.

Main Results:

• Vaping, smoking, and dual use were significantly associated with higher odds of DCRMD compared to never users.
• Early initiation of vaping (middle school or earlier) was linked to increased odds of DCRMD.
• Male youth who exclusively vaped showed higher odds of DCRMD compared to their female counterparts.

Conclusions:

• Vaping, smoking, and dual use are associated with self-reported cognitive difficulties in youth.
• Findings suggest a cross-sectional link between vaping and cognitive problems, highlighting the need for further research and prevention strategies.