Associations between e-cigarette access and smoking and drinking behaviours in teenagers
This study surveyed over 16,000 teenagers from the north west of England. Researchers were looking at the links between vaping, smoking and drinking.
What it Found
The results showed that most teen vapers are smokers, and that teens who drank were more likely to vape
This last association was spelled out in gory detail. Binge drinking, drinking to get drunk, alcohol-related violence, drinking spirits and buying alcohol from shops were all linked with accessing e-cigarettes.
The authors said the findings suggest e-cigs are used for experimentation, not quitting smoking.
Although not mentioned in the paper, it was soon used to support gateway claims.
What’s Wrong With It
This study didn’t actually find out that the teens were vaping regularly. All they found out is whether they had ever tried or bought one, which is mainly measuring experimentation.
This puts the other findings into context. These teens are experimenters, so all the shocking associations are totally expected. The results in no way justify the conclusion.
As for the “gateway,” it shares issues with the other gateway studies. They don’t know whether the vaping or smoking came first, and regular vaping wasn’t even established.
In blunt terms: there is no evidence at all for a gateway effect in the study.
Analysis of the Study
Clive Bates: Alarmist survey on teenage vaping misses the point – reaction
The Stats Guy: Vaping among teenagers
Carl V. Phillips: A real peer review of Hughes et al paper on teenage use of ecigs (more a discussion of the failure of peer review in this case than the study)
