Youth Vaping During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Adjusted Annual Changes in Vaping Between the Pre-COVID and Initial COVID-Lockdown Waves of the COMPASS Study

Abstract

Background Adolescence is a critical period for vaping onset. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period on youth vaping. Methods We used 3-year linked data from the COMPASS study, including 7585 Canadian (Quebec, Ontario) adolescents from which 1,949 completed all 3 survey waves (pre-COVID-19 [2018, 2019] and online [2020] during the early pandemic period [May-July 2020]) and provided vaping data. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and difference-in-difference (DD) models were used to estimate pre-COVID-19 to initial COVID-19 pandemic period change (2019-2020) in vaping (monthly, weekly, daily) compared to 2018 to 2019 change to adjust for age-related effects. Models were adjusted for age of entry into the cohort and sociodemographic characteristics. Results In the SEM and DD models, the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vaping increased from 2018 to 2019 but decreased from 2019 to 2020; daily vaping increased across all waves. However, for all vaping outcomes modelled, the expected increases from the pre-COVID-19 wave (2019) to the initial COVID-19 period wave (2020) were lesser relative to the changes seen across the 2018 to 2019 waves. Conclusion The early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period appears to be associated with a reduction in the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vapers in our adjusted longitudinal models. While daily vaping increased over this same period of time, the magnitude of the increase in our adjusted longitudinal models appears attenuated by the early stages of the pandemic. Implications This large prospective study of youth that included pre-pandemic data is unique in that we were able to identify that the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic period was associated with a reduction in the proportion of youth who were monthly and weekly vapers in our adjusted longitudinal models. Conversely, the proportion of youth who were daily vaping increased over this same period of time, but the magnitude of the increase appears smaller than expected during the early stages of the pandemic in our adjusted longitudinal models. This study provides novel robust evidence that the patterns of vaping most aligned with onset and progression (i.e., monthly and weekly use), appear attenuated during the initial pandemic period.

Vaping Behavior in Young Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…16 During Covid-19 the prevalence rates increased for both graduate (32.9 %) and undergraduate students. (30.3%) 17 While few studies report a decrease of vaping 18 , most studies observed a significant increase of vaping among college students during the initial stages of the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 Virus) pandemic. [18][19][20][21] Also, male students tend to a higher prevalence than female students.…”

“…(30.3%) 17 While few studies report a decrease of vaping 18 , most studies observed a significant increase of vaping among college students during the initial stages of the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 Virus) pandemic. [18][19][20][21] Also, male students tend to a higher prevalence than female students. 22,23 In Germany, the prevalence of vaping among college students is lower than in the U.S., but it is still present.…”

“…68 The PHQ-9 is a multilingual, valid and reliable instrument that allows to detect different severities of depression. 69 Answers range from 'not at all' (0) to 'nearly every day' (3) cumulating to the PHQ-9 score between 'no depression' (0-4), mild depression (5-9), moderate depression (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderate-severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and severe depression (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). 68 Vaping behavior ((1) 'quit', (2) 'increased', (3) 'decreased', (4) 'initiated', (5) 'stayed the same' and (6) 'other') was understood as the main outcome and set as the dependent variable.…”