Original article
Association Between Youth Smoking, Electronic Cigarette Use, and COVID-19

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to assess whether youth cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use are associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms, testing, and diagnosis.

Methods

An online national survey of adolescents and young adults (n = 4,351) aged 13–24 years was conducted in May 2020. Multivariable logistic regression assessed relationships among COVID-19–related symptoms, testing, and diagnosis and cigarettes only, e-cigarettes only and dual use, sociodemographic factors, obesity, and complying with shelter-in-place.

Results

COVID-19 diagnosis was five times more likely among ever-users of e-cigarettes only (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.82–13.96), seven times more likely among ever-dual-users (95% CI: 1.98–24.55), and 6.8 times more likely among past 30-day dual-users (95% CI: 2.40–19.55). Testing was nine times more likely among past 30-day dual-users (95% CI: 5.43–15.47) and 2.6 times more likely among past 30-day e-cigarette only users (95% CI: 1.33–4.87). Symptoms were 4.7 times more likely among past 30-day dual-users (95% CI: 3.07–7.16).

Conclusions

COVID-19 is associated with youth use of e-cigarettes only and dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes, suggesting the need for screening and education.

Keywords

Tobacco
Smoking
Electronic cigarette
COVID
Lung
Coronavirus
Communicable disease
Infectious disease
Pandemic

Cited by (0)

Conflicts of interest: None of the authors have any conflicting interests.

Disclaimer: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institues of Health or the Food and Drug Administration.

Clinical trials registry site and number: Not applicable to this cross-sectional survey study.

View Abstract