Tobacco Use, Dependence, and Age of Initiation among Youths with Cognitive Disability

To examine the prevalence of tobacco use by product type among youths with cognitive disability; the prevalence of tobacco dependence among youths with cognitive disability; and the relationship between age of tobacco use initiation and cognitive disability.

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Participants were a nationally representative sample of 19 018 students in grades 6-12. Estimates were calculated for ever use, current use, age of tobacco use initiation, and tobacco dependence. Associations between use patterns and cognitive disability status were examined using bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression.

Compared with youths without cognitive disability, youths with cognitive disability had significantly greater odds of ever using any tobacco product (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.31-1.70), currently using any tobacco product (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.26-1.58), and currently using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, roll-your-own cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, specifically. They had higher prevalence and odds of reporting younger age of tobacco use initiation (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43). Higher prevalence and odds of tobacco dependence were also observed among youths with cognitive disability compared with youths without cognitive disability (P < .001).

These findings reinforce the importance of developing early primary prevention efforts to reduce or delay tobacco use among adolescents with cognitive disability. They also suggest the need to address co-occurring disorders during tobacco cessation programs with this high-risk group.