Rick Kosterman1, Marina Epstein2, Jennifer A Bailey3, J David Hawkins4. 1. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 9725 Third Ave NE, Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98115, USA. Electronic address: rickk@uw.edu. 2. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 9725 Third Ave NE, Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98115, USA. Electronic address: marinaep@uw.edu. 3. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 9725 Third Ave NE, Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98115, USA. Electronic address: jabailey@uw.edu. 4. Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 9725 Third Ave NE, Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98115, USA. Electronic address: jdh@uw.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Many adult smokers have tried electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. There is limited evidence, however, for the extent to which switching to e-cigarettes is associated with better health and functioning among nicotine users approaching their 40s-the beginning of midlife-when many health issues become more evident. This study examined the adoption of e-cigarette use ("vaping") among smokers in their 30s, and its association with diverse measures of healthy and successful aging at age 39. METHODS: Data were from the Seattle Social Development Project, a panel study of 808 diverse participants with high retention (88%-91%). A subsample of 156 who used combustible cigarettes (smoked) at age 30 and smoked or vaped at age 39 was selected for analysis. A measure of vaping frequency, relative to combustible cigarette use, was computed from self-reports of past-month vaping and smoking at age 39. Nine measures of health and functioning in the past year were computed at age 39, with nine corresponding measures at age 30. RESULTS: Among smokers at age 30, 36% adopted vaping some or all of the time by age 39. Higher relative vaping frequency was related to 4 of 9 outcomes examined, including significantly more exercise, more constructive engagement, better physical health, and higher SES at age 39, accounting for prior behaviors at age 30. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that, among smokers in their 30s, replacing combustible cigarettes with vaping may be associated with key markers of healthy and successful aging to age 39.
INTRODUCTION: Many adult smokers have tried electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. There is limited evidence, however, for the extent to which switching to e-cigarettes is associated with better health and functioning among nicotine users approaching their 40s-the beginning of midlife-when many health issues become more evident. This study examined the adoption of e-cigarette use ("vaping") among smokers in their 30s, and its association with diverse measures of healthy and successful aging at age 39. METHODS: Data were from the Seattle Social Development Project, a panel study of 808 diverse participants with high retention (88%-91%). A subsample of 156 who used combustible cigarettes (smoked) at age 30 and smoked or vaped at age 39 was selected for analysis. A measure of vaping frequency, relative to combustible cigarette use, was computed from self-reports of past-month vaping and smoking at age 39. Nine measures of health and functioning in the past year were computed at age 39, with nine corresponding measures at age 30. RESULTS: Among smokers at age 30, 36% adopted vaping some or all of the time by age 39. Higher relative vaping frequency was related to 4 of 9 outcomes examined, including significantly more exercise, more constructive engagement, better physical health, and higher SES at age 39, accounting for prior behaviors at age 30. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that, among smokers in their 30s, replacing combustible cigarettes with vaping may be associated with key markers of healthy and successful aging to age 39.
Authors: Rick Kosterman; Marina Epstein; Jennifer A Bailey; Sabrina Oesterle; Madeline Furlong; J David Hawkins Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2021-02-16 Impact factor: 4.244