Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between adolescent vaping and physical and mental health problems

Vaping among adolescents is concerning, given limited empirical evidence about effects on health. We examined associations between vaping and concurrent and new onset physical and mental health conditions in a sample of adolescents.

Data were from Waves 1 to 3 of the longitudinal Well-Being and Experiences Study (n = 1002 aged 14-17 years at Wave 1) collected in Winnipeg, Manitoba (overall retention rate of 66.4 % at Wave 3). Past 30-day vaping was assessed at Wave 1. Health outcomes included both physical and mental health conditions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Sex differences in associations were also examined.

At Wave 1, past 30-day vaping was reported by 27.8 % of the sample (28.1 % of males and 27.4 % of females); 42.1 % of adolescents reported having been diagnosed with at least one physical health condition, and 22.9 %, at least one mental health condition. Past 30-day vaping at Wave 1 was statistically significantly associated with concurrent mood disorders, alcohol/drug problems, and any mental health condition (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.77, 11.01, and 1.44, respectively) and new onset alcohol/drug problems and any mental disorder (ORs = 5.02 and 1.70, respectively) over the two-year follow-up period in unadjusted models. In fully adjusted models, only the association between vaping at Wave 1 and new onset alcohol/drug problems remained statistically significant (adjusted OR = 4.58). Associations was similar for males and females.

Vaping is common among adolescents. Providing youth with evidence-based data on potential harms might help them make informed decisions about vaping initiation, reduction, and cessation.