Birth cohorts analysis of adolescent cigarette smoking and subsequent marijuana and cocaine use

K.M. Keyes, A. Hamilton and D.B. Kandel

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 6, 1143-1149

Abstract: Objectives. To examine whether the drug behavior of adults from different birth cohorts is shaped by adolescent drug experiences and whether adult prevalence of marijuana and cocaine use depends on adolescent cigarette or alcohol use prevalence. Methods. We analyzed 18 birth cohorts comprising 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, sampled from 1991 to 2008, from Monitoring the Future, an annual nationally representative cross-sectional survey of high school students in the United States (n =864443). Results. Within cohorts, lifetime rates of 8th and 10th grade cigarette use were significantly associated with subsequent lifetime rates of marijuana and cocaine use, controlling for trends in use and social norms toward drug use. Each percent increase (or decrease) in 8th and 10th grade smoking was associated with an8% increase (or decrease) in prevalence of latermarijuana use and 14%to 23%increase (or decrease) in prevalence of later cocaine use. Relationships were consistent by gender and race/ethnicity. Conclusions. Prevalences of smoking in 8th and 10th grade and of marijuana and cocaine use in 12th grade are associated. Public health campaigns should focus on early stages of adolescence, when drug use habits are forming.

Keywords: cocaine; street drug, adolescent; adolescent behavior; cannabis smoking; cohort analysis; cross-sectional study; drinking behavior; epidemiology; ethnology; female; human; male; prevalence; risk factor; smoking; United States, Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Alcohol Drinking; Cocaine; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Marijuana Smoking; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Smoking; Street Drugs; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303128_3

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303128

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