Nicotine and cannabis vaping-related workplace absenteeism among U.S. Adults, 2022

Vaping of nicotine and cannabis has increased substantially among US adults, but its impact on workplace productivity remains poorly understood. This study examines the associations between nicotine and cannabis vaping patterns and workplace absenteeism.

Cross-sectional data from a US nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized part-time and full-time employed adults aged ≥ 18 from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N = 30,591) were analyzed. The associations between nicotine vaping (recency and frequency), cannabis vaping (recency), and workplace absenteeism (measured by self-reported number of missed days due to illness/injury and skipped work in the past month) were evaluated using negative binomial regression adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other past-month drug use.

An estimated 10.4 % of full-time workers vaped nicotine in the past month and 6.4 % vaped cannabis. Compared to never-vapers of nicotine, those with any history of vaping had higher estimated incidence of absences with past-month vaping associated with increased incidence of missed work due to illness/injury (aIRR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.14-1.59) and skipping work (aIRR = 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.24-2.21). Past-month cannabis vaping was associated with increased estimated incidence of missed work due to illness/injury (aIRR = 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.06-1.72) and skipping work (aIRR = 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.32-2.18), although these rates did not differ significantly from those associated with non-vaped cannabis use. Associations were generally stronger among full-time workers compared to part-time workers.

Both nicotine and cannabis vaping are associated with increased workplace absenteeism. Results support the development and implementation of workplace policies to address vaping-related productivity losses.