Correlates of blunt use frequency and blunt/cigar dual use among youth and young adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Blunts are a popular mode of cannabis use that exposes the user to nicotine and risk of nicotine addiction. We examined correlates of blunt use frequency and dual use of blunts and cigars among youth and young adults residing in New York.

METHODS: Data were from a survey of 15-24-year-old (n = 466) who reported past-year use of blunts. We used two multinomial logistic regression models with dependent variables for days of blunt use in the past 30 d and blunt and cigar, little cigar, or cigarillo (CLCC) use status in the past 30 d. Independent variables included demographic, tobacco use, and blunt-related attitude measures.

RESULTS: The study found statistically significant associations between three factors and an increased likelihood of both frequent blunt use and dual blunt/CLCC use. Specifically, the risk for both behaviors was significantly elevated among those unaware that blunt wraps contain nicotine, those with higher perceived prevalence of blunt use among their peers, and individuals reporting past-30-d use of other (non-CLCC) tobacco products. Never using flavored blunt wraps and never mixing tobacco leaf in blunts were behaviors significantly associated with lower risk of both frequent blunt use and dual blunt and CLCC use.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that lack of knowledge that blunt wraps contain nicotine, adding tobacco to blunts, and the use of flavored blunt wraps are modifiable factors associated with frequent use of blunts and dual use of blunts and CLCCs.