Teens who use e-cigs are more likely to also smoke marijuana

An analysis of more than 20 studies finds that adolescents who use e-cigarettes are also more likely to smoke marijuana. Looking at data from nearly 130,000 teens, researchers found that those who reported e-cig use were about 3.5 times more likely to also smoke marijuana than those teens who didn’t use the devices. Those aged 12-17 who used e-cigs were more than four times as likely to smoke marijuana. In contrast, young adults aged 18-24 who used e-cigs were about twice as likely to smoke marijuana. The findings point to an association and not a cause, but the researchers write that there are public health implications. Because both nicotine — found in e-cigs — and marijuana can have a harmful effect on the brain and memory, curbing e-cig use could also be an effective way to reduce marijuana smoking among youth, the authors suggest.