Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, product use behaviors among adults after the onset of the 2019 outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI)

by Selleckchem | Jan 18 2024

Introduction: During the E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak, patient data on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, product (EVP) use was collected, but data on non-affected adult product use after the onset of the EVALI outbreak is limited. This study describes adult THC-EVP use after EVALI began.

Methods: THC-EVP use data came from an 18-state web-based panel survey of adult THC- and nicotine-containing EVP users conducted February 2020. Unweighted descriptive statistics were calculated; logistic regression assessed correlates of use.

Results: Among 3,980 THC-EVP users, 23.5% used THC-EVPs daily. Common brands of THC-EVPs used were Dank Vapes (47.7%) and Golden Gorilla (38.7%). Reported substances used included THC oils (69.6%), marijuana herb (63.6%) and THC concentrate (46.4%). Access sources included: recreational dispensaries (41.1%), friend/family member (38.6%) and illicit dealers (15.1%). Respondents aged 45-64 years had lower odds for daily use compared with those aged 25-34 years (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.60, 0.90). Compared with White respondents, Asian respondents had lower odds (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.84) and Black respondents higher odds (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.17, 1.86) of daily use. Respondents odds of daily use and accessing THC-EVPs through commercial sources were higher among states with legalized nonmedical adult marijuana use compared to states without.

Conclusions: Almost half of respondents reported daily or weekly THC-EVP use, and accessed products through both informal and formal sources, even after EVALI began. Given the potential for future EVALI-like conditions to occur, it is important to monitor the use of THC-EVPs and ensure effective education activities about associated risk.

Comments:

The study you've shared delves into post-EVALI outbreak THC-EVP usage among adults, shedding light on patterns, brands, access sources, and demographic correlates. It's concerning to note that despite EVALI, nearly half of respondents continued regular THC-EVP use.

What's striking is the diversity in access sources, spanning from legal dispensaries to informal channels like friends or illicit dealers. This underscores the complexity of the market and the varied ways individuals obtain these products.

Demographic insights are intriguing, showing differences in daily use odds based on age and ethnicity, with higher odds among Black respondents and lower odds among Asians compared to Whites. Additionally, the correlation between higher odds of daily use and accessing THC-EVPs through commercial sources in states with legalized nonmedical adult marijuana use is noteworthy.

The study's conclusion emphasizes the necessity for ongoing monitoring of THC-EVP use due to potential health risks and the possibility of similar outbreaks in the future. It highlights the crucial role of effective education to inform users about associated risks, promoting safer usage practices.

Overall, the findings emphasize the persistent use of THC-EVPs post-EVALI, stressing the importance of continued surveillance and education to safeguard public health.