Abstract
Background: The use of cigarillos for smoking as a tobacco product and for making marijuana blunts is increasing among adolescents. Previous research has documented the co-use of these products, however little is known about the contextual features that generate and sustain this practice. Objective: This study aims for a deeper understanding of why and how co-use of cigarillos and marijuana blunts occurs. Methods: Between December 2015 and April 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 30 adolescents aged 14-18 who reported smoking ≥1 cigarillo per week. Semi-structured interviews were designed to capture participants' smoking products, practices, and preferences, as well as their beliefs and experiences about smoking. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes. Results: All participants reported smoking cigarillos for use as a tobacco product, averaging 13 per week. Twenty-five (83%) also reported using cigarillos to smoke marijuana blunts. A preference for group smoking and product sharing, and the belief that cigarillos extend the high of marijuana were found to promote the co-use of these products. Cigarillos were also found to be used as a substitute for blunts when marijuana was unavailable or when its use was being restricted or monitored. Conclusions/Importance: This analysis of adolescent cigarillo and marijuana co-use demonstrates how marijuana use can initiate, increase, and reinforce tobacco use. These findings can be used to inform public health education campaigns and other programs and policies aimed at reducing cigarillo and marijuana use by youth.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 654-661 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Substance Use and Misuse |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 21 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Adolescents
- blunts
- cigarillos
- little cigars
- marijuana
- smoking
- youth
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
The Social Context of Adolescent Co-Use of Cigarillos and Marijuana Blunts. / Antognoli, Elizabeth; Koopman Gonzalez, Sarah; Trapl, Erika; Cavallo, David; Lim, Rock; Lavanty, Brittany; Flocke, Sue.
In: Substance Use and Misuse, Vol. 53, No. 4, 21.03.2018, p. 654-661.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Social Context of Adolescent Co-Use of Cigarillos and Marijuana Blunts
AU - Antognoli, Elizabeth
AU - Koopman Gonzalez, Sarah
AU - Trapl, Erika
AU - Cavallo, David
AU - Lim, Rock
AU - Lavanty, Brittany
AU - Flocke, Sue
PY - 2018/3/21
Y1 - 2018/3/21
N2 - Background: The use of cigarillos for smoking as a tobacco product and for making marijuana blunts is increasing among adolescents. Previous research has documented the co-use of these products, however little is known about the contextual features that generate and sustain this practice. Objective: This study aims for a deeper understanding of why and how co-use of cigarillos and marijuana blunts occurs. Methods: Between December 2015 and April 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 30 adolescents aged 14-18 who reported smoking ≥1 cigarillo per week. Semi-structured interviews were designed to capture participants' smoking products, practices, and preferences, as well as their beliefs and experiences about smoking. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes. Results: All participants reported smoking cigarillos for use as a tobacco product, averaging 13 per week. Twenty-five (83%) also reported using cigarillos to smoke marijuana blunts. A preference for group smoking and product sharing, and the belief that cigarillos extend the high of marijuana were found to promote the co-use of these products. Cigarillos were also found to be used as a substitute for blunts when marijuana was unavailable or when its use was being restricted or monitored. Conclusions/Importance: This analysis of adolescent cigarillo and marijuana co-use demonstrates how marijuana use can initiate, increase, and reinforce tobacco use. These findings can be used to inform public health education campaigns and other programs and policies aimed at reducing cigarillo and marijuana use by youth.
AB - Background: The use of cigarillos for smoking as a tobacco product and for making marijuana blunts is increasing among adolescents. Previous research has documented the co-use of these products, however little is known about the contextual features that generate and sustain this practice. Objective: This study aims for a deeper understanding of why and how co-use of cigarillos and marijuana blunts occurs. Methods: Between December 2015 and April 2016, we conducted in-depth interviews with 30 adolescents aged 14-18 who reported smoking ≥1 cigarillo per week. Semi-structured interviews were designed to capture participants' smoking products, practices, and preferences, as well as their beliefs and experiences about smoking. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes. Results: All participants reported smoking cigarillos for use as a tobacco product, averaging 13 per week. Twenty-five (83%) also reported using cigarillos to smoke marijuana blunts. A preference for group smoking and product sharing, and the belief that cigarillos extend the high of marijuana were found to promote the co-use of these products. Cigarillos were also found to be used as a substitute for blunts when marijuana was unavailable or when its use was being restricted or monitored. Conclusions/Importance: This analysis of adolescent cigarillo and marijuana co-use demonstrates how marijuana use can initiate, increase, and reinforce tobacco use. These findings can be used to inform public health education campaigns and other programs and policies aimed at reducing cigarillo and marijuana use by youth.
KW - Adolescents
KW - blunts
KW - cigarillos
KW - little cigars
KW - marijuana
KW - smoking
KW - youth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85029703440&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85029703440&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10826084.2017.1355388
DO - 10.1080/10826084.2017.1355388
M3 - Article
VL - 53
SP - 654
EP - 661
JO - Substance Use and Misuse
JF - Substance Use and Misuse
SN - 1082-6084
IS - 4
ER -