Chronic disease as a risk factor for cigarette and e-cigarette use from young adulthood to adulthood

Chronic disease prevalence in young adults is increasing with 15–20 % reporting 1 or more chronic diseases. This study examined cross-sectional and prospective relationships between chronic disease and e-cigarette/cigarette use from young adulthood to adulthood utilizing the U.S.- based National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Add Health Study wave 3 (2001–2002; ages 18–26), wave 4 (2008; ages 24–34), and wave 5 (2016–2018; ages 33–44) were used. Past 30-day cigarette use at waves 3–5 and past 30-day e-cigarette use at wave 5 were assessed. Two measures of chronic disease were used: asthma (yes/no) and non-asthmatic chronic disease (yes/no) composed of 7 additional chronic diseases (diabetes, migraine, heart problem, hepatitis B/C, high blood pressure, epilepsy, and cancer). Weighted multilevel logistic regression (controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and education) was used to assess cross-sectional associations at wave 3, and then prospective associations of wave 3 chronic disease (asthma and non-asthmatic) with waves 4 and 5 cigarette and wave 5 e-cigarette use. Logistic regressions showed no significant cross-sectional or prospective relationships between asthma and cigarette and e-cigarette use. However, wave 3 non-asthmatic chronic disease was significantly associated with wave 4 cigarette use (aOR 1.38, p <.001, 95 % CI: 1.15, 1.65) and with wave 5 cigarette use (aOR 1.49, p <.001, 95 % CI: 1.21, 1.84) but not e-cigarette use. The association between chronic disease in young adulthood and tobacco use in adulthood differed by type of chronic disease and tobacco product, indicating the need for targeted interventions.