Search

Background and aims: There are concerns that availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries (RCDs) and point‐of‐sale marketing may lead to increased cannabis use in jurisdictions where cannabis retail sale is legal. This paper examined whether the availability RCDs and the presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs were associated with cannabis use and risk perceptions. Design: Cross‐sectional, secondary data analysis. Setting: California, USA. Participants: A representative sample of 3385 adults in California who participated in the 2020 probability‐based Marijuana Use and Environment Survey. Measurements Binary outcomes included past‐month overall cannabis use, perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful and past‐month cannabis use by purpose (medical only, recreational only and dual). The objectively assessed predictors included proximity and density of RCDs and presence of storefront signage indicative of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits in RCDs. Findings In terms of proximity, thepresence of storefront signage in the nearest RCD was associated with smaller odds of perceiving cannabis smoking as harmful [odds ratio (OR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.39, 0.99] if the RCD was located within 2 miles of home. Presence of health benefit signs in the nearest RCD was associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.17, 5.16) and recreational use (OR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.027, 11.91) if the RCD was located within 2–4 miles of home. In terms of density, count of RCDs, count of RCDs with storefront signage and count of RCDs with health benefit signs within 2 miles of home were each separately associated with greater odds of overall cannabis use and cannabis use for dual purposes. Conclusions: The availability of recreational cannabis dispensaries within 2 miles of one's home and the presence of storefront signage indicating the availability of cannabis and signs promoting health benefits of cannabis appear to be associated with increased cannabis use and reduced risk perceptions among adults in California, USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: For electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) to be a viable substitute for combustible cigarettes, it is likely that they must be rewarding enough for regular use, indicated by factors such as craving and dependence, important aspects of reinforcement. This study aimed to understand short‐term changes in measures of nicotine dependence between groups differing by use trajectory in a switching trial, and within group changes of these measures. Design Secondary data analysis of one arm of an e‐cigarette randomized clinical trial. Setting: San Diego, California and Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Participants: 114 African American (n = 60) and Latinx (n = 54) smokers (58.8% male) attempting to switch to nicotine salt pod system (NSPS) e‐cigarettes in a 6‐week trial. Measurements At week 6, participants were classified by use trajectory: exclusive smokers (n = 16), exclusive e‐cigarette (n = 32), or dual users (n = 66). E‐cigarette, cigarette, and total nicotine dependence (cigarette + e‐cigarette), use patterns, cigarette craving and nicotine withdrawal, and cotinine were assessed at baseline and week 6 using standard measures. Findings In between group comparisons, exclusive e‐cigarette and dual users showed greater reductions in cigarette dependence (e‐cigarette: −32.38, 95% CI = −37.7,−27.1; dual: −18.48, 95% CI = −22.2,−14.7), withdrawal (e‐cigarette: −6.25, 95% CI = −8.52,−3.98; dual: −3.18, 95% CI = −5.02,−1.34), craving (e‐cigarette: −11.44, 95% CI = −14.2,8.7; dual: −9.59, 95% CI = −11.6,−7.59), and cigarettes per day (CPD; e‐cigarette: −11.19, 95% CI = −13.1,−9.27; dual: −9.39, 95% CI = −11.3, −7.52) compared with exclusive smokers. In within group analyses, e‐cigarette and dual users showed reductions in craving and withdrawal from baseline to week 6. Exclusive e‐cigarette and dual users, maintained cotinine levels (all Ps > 0.05) and showed reductions in CPD and cigarette dependence (all Ps < 0.01). Findings were inconclusive regarding changes in total nicotine dependence from baseline to week 6 among exclusive e‐cigarette users (P = 0.123). Dual users showed increased total nicotine dependence (P < 0.001) and smokers showed decreased total dependence (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod system e‐cigarettes maintain their nicotine levels and transfer their dependence, suggesting that nicotine salt pod system e‐cigarettes have a similar reinforcement potential to cigarettes and facilitate switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]