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Introduction: Both electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) and social media use among youth are public health concerns. While the health impacts of extensive social media use and frequent use of e-cigarettes have been discussed independently in the literature, little is known about the relationship between the two. This study aims to examine the potential association between extensive social media use and the frequency of current, e-cigarette use among United States (US) youth. Methods: Data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) were analyzed. The sample included 23,655 middle and high school students aged 9–18 years. Frequency of current e-cigarette use was categorized based on past-30 day use (i.e., never/former, 1–9 days, 10–29 days, or 30 days). Social media use was dichotomized into less than 4 hours daily and 4+ hours daily (i.e., extensive use). Multivariable multinomial logistic regression estimated the relationship between social media use and e-cigarette use frequency. Results: Over one-third (35.8 %) of youth used social media extensively and 8.6 % reported current use of e-cigarettes. Extensive social media use was associated with daily e-cigarette use (OR: 1.94, 95 % CI: 1.48–2.56) but not with other use categories. Older age, female sex, lower grades, current other tobacco use, and family tobacco use were also associated with daily e-cigarette use. Conclusions: Extensive social media use is associated with daily e-cigarette use among US youth. Public health interventions should consider the influence of social media on tobacco use behaviors and tailor prevention strategies to address this potential modifiable risk factor.

Introduction: Cannabis use is increasing due to several factors including the adoption of laws legalizing its use across the United States (US). We examined changes in current cannabis use among US youth and adults and by key sociodemographic groups. Methods: Using data from the 2013–2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n=543,195), we estimated the prevalence of (2013–2019, 2020, 2021–2022) and trends in (2013–2019, 2021–2022) current (i.e., past 30-day) cannabis use among US youth (aged 12–17) and adults (aged 18+) overall and by age, gender, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, and total annual family income. We also examined sociodemographic factors associated with use from 2013 to 2019, in 2020, and from 2021 to 2022. Results: Cannabis use increased from 7.59 % to 11.48 % in 2013–2019, was 11.54 % in 2020, and increased again from 13.13 % to 15.11 % in 2021–2022. Among youth, cannabis use remained constant from 2013 to 2019 and 2021–2022. In 2022, use was highest among aged 18–34, male, non-Hispanic multiracial, and generally lower SES adults. From 2021–2022, cannabis use increased among several groups such as adults who were aged 35–49 (14.25–17.23 %), female (11.21–13.00 %), and Hispanic (10.42–13.50 %). Adults who were aged 18–25, male, non-Hispanic multiracial, some college educated, and of lower annual family income had consistently higher odds of current cannabis use from 2013 to 2019, in 2020, and from 2021 to 2022. Conclusions: Cannabis use is increasing overall and among certain sociodemographic groups. Our findings inform prevention and harm reduction efforts aimed at mitigating the prevalence of cannabis use in the US.

While the COVID-19 pandemic was initially rooted in social unity and acceptance of lockdown procedures, long-standing social distancing measures have kept students out of the physical classroom on and off for nearly two years. The instability of transitions and outcomes of remote learning has gained attention, mainly as frustrations over increased transmission rates and subsequent quarantines occur. Evidence has shown that the pandemic has had negative mental health outcomes on the caregivers of school-aged children. Still, there have been no known studies regarding the effects of shifting transitions between virtual and traditional learning modalities. The present study examined caregivers’ and children’s mental health experiences with remote and return to in-person learning and the correlation between caregiver and child mental health throughout the transition of learning platforms through survey data. A series of ANCOVA models showed that 74% of participants indicated that they and their children showed an increase in at least one mental health concern during remote learning. Post-hoc analysis showed a significant decrease in children’s mental health concerns after their return to in-school learning. These results suggest that more support for caregivers and students during shifting learning modalities is necessary to reduce negative mental health symptoms.