Adults With Disabilities Were More Likely to Vape Cannabis, Especially Those With Cognitive Disabilities
US adults with disabilities had higher cannabis vaping rates (4.6%) than those without (2.8%), with cognitive disability showing the highest prevalence at 8.2%, and daily nicotine vaping being the strongest correlate.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis vaping prevalence was higher among adults with any disability (4.6%) than without (2.8%). Adults with cognitive disabilities had the highest rate at 8.2%. Daily nicotine vaping (AOR=6.04), former smoking (AOR=1.67), and young age 18-24 vs 65+ (AOR=11.07) were the strongest correlates of cannabis vaping among adults with disabilities.
Key Numbers
Cannabis vaping: 4.6% with disability vs 2.8% without; 8.2% cognitive disability; daily nicotine vaping AOR=6.04; former smoking AOR=1.67; age 18-24 AOR=11.07; cannabis vapers had 1.28x more cannabis-use days.
How They Did This
Analysis of 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data examining associations between disability types and past-month cannabis vaping among US adults, using weighted multivariable logistic and modified Poisson regression models.
Why This Research Matters
People with disabilities are already known to use cannabis at higher rates, but this study reveals that novel delivery methods (vaping) follow the same pattern, with particularly high rates among those with cognitive disabilities who may be most vulnerable to substance-related harms.
The Bigger Picture
This study highlights cannabis vaping as an emerging equity issue. People with disabilities may face unique barriers to cessation and may use cannabis for symptom management without medical guidance, particularly through vaping which carries its own health risks.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
BRFSS data is self-reported and telephone-based, potentially missing vulnerable populations. Cross-sectional design. Cannot determine why people with disabilities vape cannabis (recreational vs. medical). Disability categories may overlap.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are people with disabilities using cannabis vaping for symptom management?
- ?Would accessible, disability-specific cessation programs reduce rates?
- ?How does cannabis vaping interact with disability-related medications?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 8.2% of US adults with cognitive disabilities vaped cannabis, nearly 3x the general rate
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: Large nationally representative BRFSS dataset with disability-stratified analysis, though self-reported data and cross-sectional design limit causal conclusions.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025 using 2022 BRFSS data.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Vaping Among US Adults With Disabilities: Findings From the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
- Published In:
- Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 140(2-3), 230-240 (2025)
- Authors:
- Olufemi, Erinoso, Olatokunbo, Osibogun, Wei, Li, Ben Taleb, Ziyad, Kalan, Mohammad Ebrahimi
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07280
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people with disabilities use cannabis more?
The study did not determine reasons, but possible explanations include self-medication for pain, anxiety, or other symptoms associated with disability; social isolation; and in some cases, lack of access to alternative treatments.
Why is the link to nicotine vaping so strong?
Daily nicotine vaping was the strongest correlate of cannabis vaping (6x higher odds). This may reflect a general vaping behavior pattern where people who vape one substance are much more likely to vape others, and the devices used may be similar or interchangeable.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07280APA
Olufemi, Erinoso; Olatokunbo, Osibogun; Wei, Li; Ben Taleb, Ziyad; Kalan, Mohammad Ebrahimi. (2025). Cannabis Vaping Among US Adults With Disabilities: Findings From the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 140(2-3), 230-240. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549241292447
MLA
Olufemi, Erinoso, et al. "Cannabis Vaping Among US Adults With Disabilities: Findings From the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.." Public health reports (Washington, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549241292447
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Vaping Among US Adults With Disabilities: Findings ..." RTHC-07280. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/olufemi-2025-cannabis-vaping-among-us
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.