Income inequality linked to higher rates of daily cannabis use among Canadian teens
Canadian secondary school students living in areas with greater income inequality were 25% more likely to report daily cannabis use.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 74,501 Canadian students aged 12-19, a one standard deviation increase in area-level income inequality (Gini coefficient) was associated with a 25% increase in the odds of daily cannabis use (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.54). Income inequality was not associated with daily cigarette smoking but was linked to daily e-cigarette use among females only.
Key Numbers
74,501 students aged 12-19; 50.4% male; 69.1% white; OR=1.25 (95% CI 1.01-1.54) for daily cannabis use; e-cigarette interaction with gender OR=0.87 (95% CI 0.80-0.94)
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis combining individual-level survey data from Year 6 (2018/19) of the COMPASS study with area-level 2016 Canadian Census data. Used three-level logistic models adjusting for relevant covariates across 74,501 students.
Why This Research Matters
This is one of the first large-scale studies linking neighborhood-level economic conditions to adolescent cannabis use patterns, suggesting structural factors beyond individual choices may drive daily use.
The Bigger Picture
If income inequality independently influences adolescent substance use, then prevention efforts focused solely on individual behavior may miss important structural drivers. Schools in high-inequality areas may need additional resources.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Area-level Gini coefficient may not reflect individual household income. Self-reported substance use subject to reporting bias. Canadian context may not generalize internationally.
Questions This Raises
- ?What mechanisms connect income inequality to adolescent cannabis use?
- ?Would reducing income inequality through policy changes affect youth substance use rates?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 25% higher odds of daily cannabis use in higher-inequality areas
- Evidence Grade:
- Large sample with multilevel modeling and census data linkage, though cross-sectional design limits causal claims.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023 using 2018-2019 data
- Original Title:
- Income inequality and daily use of cannabis, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes among Canadian secondary school students: Results from COMPASS 2018-19.
- Published In:
- The International journal on drug policy, 115, 104014 (2023)
- Authors:
- Benny, Claire, Steele, Brian J, Patte, Karen A(4), Leatherdale, Scott T, Pabayo, Roman
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04409
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does income inequality affect teen cannabis use?
This study found a significant association: Canadian students in areas with greater income inequality were 25% more likely to report daily cannabis use, even after adjusting for individual-level factors.
Were other substances affected by income inequality?
Daily cigarette smoking was not associated with income inequality. Daily e-cigarette use was linked to inequality, but only among female students.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04409APA
Benny, Claire; Steele, Brian J; Patte, Karen A; Leatherdale, Scott T; Pabayo, Roman. (2023). Income inequality and daily use of cannabis, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes among Canadian secondary school students: Results from COMPASS 2018-19.. The International journal on drug policy, 115, 104014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104014
MLA
Benny, Claire, et al. "Income inequality and daily use of cannabis, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes among Canadian secondary school students: Results from COMPASS 2018-19.." The International journal on drug policy, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104014
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Income inequality and daily use of cannabis, cigarettes, and..." RTHC-04409. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/benny-2023-income-inequality-and-daily
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.