Cigar and marijuana use: their relationship in teens

There is evidence of a substantial increase in teen use of both cigars and marijuana over the last decade. The theoretical concept of sensation seeking suggests a conceptual relationship between teen use of the substances. The hypothesis was that a relationship existed between the use of cigars and marijuana. Data for this study were gathered during the evaluation in a local school district of a teen tobacco-use reduction program. Questionnaire data and focus group results supported the study hypothesis and provided the direction for peer tobacco education to include an emphasis on this significant relationship. Identified associations between use of different substances supplies cues for the school nurse and other health providers to pursue specific areas of substance use practices when assessing students.