A study published in Addictive Behaviors reported that cannabis and tobacco use is increasing among older adults. The findings suggest that the tobacco-cannabis combination poses more significant health risks than the exclusive use of either substance.
Duke University researchers attribute the trend to more cannabis law reform and growing acceptance of cannabis consumption. A previous national study of trends in exclusive tobacco use, exclusive cannabis use, and co-use was a national study focused on data collected from 2003-2012. However, 24 states have legalized cannabis. The Duke University study provides findings that affect current cannabis policy development.
The researchers analyzed two decades of national data from the 2002-2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. They assessed prevalence trends in the past 30-day cannabis and tobacco co-use, exclusive cannabis use, and exclusive tobacco use by various sociodemographic groups. Data collected from 708,891 adult respondents showed that concurrent cannabis and tobacco use increased from 2002 to 2019.
A key finding highlighted age-related differences in consumption patterns. Lead study author Dana Rubenstein explained, “When looking at the 2021 data, younger individuals, people with lower educational attainment and residing in a state with a medical marijuana law, were most likely to report co-use.” For adults aged 26-34, co-use for those aged 26-34 rose from 6.15% in 2002 to 10.3% in 2019. Older age groups demonstrated a more significant increase in co-use. Co-use increased from 0.42% in 2002 to 3.13% in 2019 among individuals aged 50 and older.
As more states legalize cannabis, researchers and healthcare professionals need to pay closer attention to the combined use of cannabis and tobacco. Healthcare providers should routinely screen for cannabis and tobacco co-use when discussing lifestyle and medication use with patients. Co-use poses more significant health risks than exclusive use of either tobacco or cannabis.
Sources: Addictive Behaviors, Duke University School of Medicine
