Young Adults Who Used Marijuana Were Less Successful at Quitting Tobacco
Among 500 young adult smokers in a tobacco cessation program, marijuana users were 44% less likely to quit smoking and 29% less likely to reduce cigarettes, despite being equally motivated and engaged in the program.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Marijuana use was associated with lower likelihood of tobacco abstinence (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.90) and lower likelihood of reducing smoking (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.98) over 12 months. However, marijuana use was not related to motivation to quit, engagement in the cessation program, quit attempts, or stage of change.
Key Numbers
500 young adults, ages 18-25. Marijuana users: 44% less likely to abstain from tobacco (OR 0.56). 29% less likely to reduce smoking (OR 0.71). No difference in motivation, engagement, or quit attempts.
How They Did This
500 young adult smokers (18-25) enrolled in a 3-month Facebook-based smoking cessation intervention. Marijuana use and smoking behaviors were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months.
Why This Research Matters
Marijuana and tobacco co-use is common in young adults. This study reveals that while marijuana users are equally motivated to quit tobacco, they are less successful - suggesting marijuana use creates a specific barrier to tobacco cessation that current programs do not adequately address.
The Bigger Picture
The disconnect between equal motivation and lower success suggests marijuana use may undermine tobacco cessation through behavioral or pharmacological mechanisms rather than motivational ones. Tobacco cessation programs for young adults may need specific strategies for co-users.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational within a trial setting. Self-reported marijuana and tobacco use. Facebook-based intervention may not represent other cessation approaches. Cannot determine why marijuana use reduces cessation success.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does the act of smoking marijuana trigger tobacco cravings?
- ?Would concurrent marijuana cessation improve tobacco quit rates?
- ?Should cessation programs address both substances simultaneously?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Marijuana users were 44% less likely to achieve tobacco abstinence despite equal motivation to quit and engagement in cessation programs.
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate - longitudinal analysis with 12-month follow-up within an RCT framework, with appropriate statistical controls.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018.
- Original Title:
- Associations between marijuana use and tobacco cessation outcomes in young adults.
- Published In:
- Journal of substance abuse treatment, 94, 69-73 (2018)
- Authors:
- Vogel, Erin A(4), Rubinstein, Mark L, Prochaska, Judith J(6), Ramo, Danielle E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01868
Evidence Hierarchy
Follows a group of people over time to track how outcomes develop.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does marijuana use make it harder to quit tobacco?
This study of 500 young adults found that marijuana users were 44% less likely to quit smoking despite being equally motivated and engaged in a cessation program. The researchers suggest tobacco cessation programs may need specific strategies for marijuana co-users.
Should I quit marijuana and tobacco at the same time?
This study found marijuana use was a barrier to tobacco cessation specifically. While it did not test simultaneous cessation, the findings suggest that addressing both substances together might improve quit rates.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01868APA
Vogel, Erin A; Rubinstein, Mark L; Prochaska, Judith J; Ramo, Danielle E. (2018). Associations between marijuana use and tobacco cessation outcomes in young adults.. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 94, 69-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.08.010
MLA
Vogel, Erin A, et al. "Associations between marijuana use and tobacco cessation outcomes in young adults.." Journal of substance abuse treatment, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2018.08.010
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Associations between marijuana use and tobacco cessation out..." RTHC-01868. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/vogel-2018-associations-between-marijuana-use
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.