Non-daily smoking predicts hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders in young adults in a longitudinal U.S. sample

It is known that daily smoking is associated with the development of alcohol use disorders. However, non-daily smoking is prevalent in young adults and is associated with increased rates of problematic alcohol use in cross-sectional data. It is unknown whether non-daily smoking is predictive of hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders using longitudinal data. The primary aim of the present investigation was to explore the temporal relationship between non-daily smoking and drinking in young adults, and secondarily, whether college status modified this relationship.

Using Waves 1 (2001-2002) and 2 (2004-2005) of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), we examined the predictive relationship of smoking status at Wave 1 and change in college status between Waves on alcohol drinking, hazardous drinking, and alcohol abuse and dependence disorders at Wave 2. The sample was restricted to individuals aged 18-25 years at Wave 1.

Daily and non-daily smokers at Wave 1, compared to nonsmokers, were at a greater risk for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders at Wave 2, after controlling for Wave 1 drinking. College status did not modify smoking and drinking interactions.

The findings indicate non-daily smoking is predictive of increased, problematic alcohol use among young adults longitudinally and they support increasing evidence that non-daily smokers represent an important population. Future research should be conducted to continue developing targeted interventions. Early treatments for smoking behavior might have a beneficial effect on reducing the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use and alcohol use disorders.