Cannabis Vaping Among High Schoolers Linked to LGB+ Identity, Mental Health, and Aggression
Among 2,476 9th and 10th graders, cannabis vaping was more prevalent among LGB+, Hispanic, and multiethnic adolescents, and was associated with worse mental health, alcohol use, and aggression.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Past-month vaping: 89.7% non-use, 5.9% nicotine-only, 1.0% cannabis-only, 3.4% dual use. Nicotine-only vaping was higher among females. Cannabis and dual use were associated with LGB+ identity, Hispanic/multiethnic background, and lower SES. All vaping types were associated with worse mental health, alcohol use, and aggression, with dual users showing the strongest associations.
Key Numbers
2,476 adolescents in 9th-10th grade. Non-use: 89.7%. Nicotine-only: 5.9%. Cannabis-only: 1.0%. Dual: 3.4%. Higher risk: females (nicotine), LGB+ (cannabis, dual), Hispanic/multiethnic, low SES. All vaping linked to worse mental health, alcohol, aggression.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 2,476 9th and 10th grade adolescents in Colorado and Ohio (2021-2022). Measured vaping behaviors and psychosocial factors including substance use attitudes, alcohol use, mental health, aggression, and family/school risk and protective factors.
Why This Research Matters
Adolescent cannabis vaping is a growing concern distinct from smoking. Identifying which youth are most at risk allows for targeted prevention, and the strong association with LGB+ identity suggests inclusive prevention approaches are needed.
The Bigger Picture
The fact that 4.4% of early high schoolers vaped cannabis (alone or with nicotine) and that dual users showed the worst psychosocial profiles suggests co-use prevention should be a priority in adolescent health programming.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design. Two states only (CO, OH). Self-reported vaping. Cannot establish causation between vaping and psychosocial factors. Low prevalence of cannabis-only vaping limits statistical power for that group.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why is cannabis vaping more prevalent among LGB+ adolescents?
- ?Do school-based programs address cannabis vaping specifically or focus mainly on nicotine?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Adequate multi-state adolescent sample with comprehensive psychosocial measures, but cross-sectional design and two-state scope limit to moderate.
- Study Age:
- Data from 2021-2022 school surveys in Colorado and Ohio.
- Original Title:
- Nicotine and cannabis vaping among early high school adolescents: Disparities of use across sociodemographic characteristics and associations with psychosocial factors.
- Published In:
- Addictive behaviors reports, 21, 100577 (2025)
- Authors:
- Steeger, Christine M(2), Gust, Charleen J, Harlow, Alyssa F(7), Cambron, Christopher, Barrington-Trimis, Jessica, Combs, Katie Massey, Brooks-Russell, Ashley, Hill, Karl G
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07721
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is cannabis vaping among high schoolers?
About 4.4% of 9th and 10th graders reported vaping cannabis in the past month, with 3.4% using both cannabis and nicotine and 1.0% using cannabis only.
Who is most at risk for cannabis vaping?
LGB+ adolescents, Hispanic and multiethnic youth, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to vape cannabis. Dual nicotine-cannabis vapers had the worst mental health and behavioral outcomes.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07721APA
Steeger, Christine M; Gust, Charleen J; Harlow, Alyssa F; Cambron, Christopher; Barrington-Trimis, Jessica; Combs, Katie Massey; Brooks-Russell, Ashley; Hill, Karl G. (2025). Nicotine and cannabis vaping among early high school adolescents: Disparities of use across sociodemographic characteristics and associations with psychosocial factors.. Addictive behaviors reports, 21, 100577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100577
MLA
Steeger, Christine M, et al. "Nicotine and cannabis vaping among early high school adolescents: Disparities of use across sociodemographic characteristics and associations with psychosocial factors.." Addictive behaviors reports, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2024.100577
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Nicotine and cannabis vaping among early high school adolesc..." RTHC-07721. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/steeger-2025-nicotine-and-cannabis-vaping
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.