What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Addiction, Mental Health.

Where was this research published?

Published in Public health on May 17, 2026.

Vaping linked to 7x higher cannabis use in Thai teens

Q: What did this research study find?

This cross-sectional study of **3,784 Thai secondary school students** examined how e-cigarette vaping relates to cannabis use and susceptibility. Researchers found **powerful connections between vaping and cannabis use**, with current vapers being **7.13 times more likely** to report using cannabis

E-cigarette and cannabis use and susceptibility among secondary school students in Thailand.

Public health • May 17, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This cross-sectional study of 3,784 Thai secondary school students examined how e-cigarette vaping relates to cannabis use and susceptibility. Researchers found powerful connections between vaping and cannabis use, with current vapers being 7.13 times more likely to report using cannabis in the past 30 days compared to non-vaping, non-susceptible students. Even more striking, students who were susceptible to vaping but hadn't yet tried it showed 10.44 times higher odds of cannabis susceptibility, suggesting vaping represents a stepping stone toward cannabis experimentation.

The research reveals a pattern called polydrug use clustering—where students using multiple substances together are the norm rather than the exception. Students who also smoked cigarettes or drank alcohol showed substantially elevated odds of cannabis use, and having close friends who vape significantly increased individual risk. Male students and those susceptible to (but not yet using) vaping products showed particular vulnerability to cannabis experimentation. These findings suggest that vaping should not be viewed in isolation but rather as part of a broader pattern of risky substance use behaviors among adolescents.

The study's implications are significant for school-based prevention programs in Thailand and globally. Rather than addressing vaping, smoking, alcohol, and cannabis as separate issues, integrated prevention approaches that tackle shared psychosocial risk factors and peer influences may be more effective. The authors note that while cross-sectional data cannot prove causation, the patterns align with scientific models suggesting these substance behaviors share common underlying vulnerabilities and environmental triggers, making coordinated intervention strategies essential for adolescent health.

📄 Original Abstract

This study aims to examine the association between vaping status and cannabis use and susceptibility among a representative sample of secondary school students in Thailand. A cross-sectional, school-based study. We surveyed secondary-school students across Thailand (June-September 2024). Outcomes were (1) susceptibility to cannabis use, measured using a validated intention/willingness scale, and (2) current cannabis use (past 30 days). The main exposure was vaping status (non-susceptible non-user, susceptible non-user, ever user, current user). Covariates included sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and perceived close-friend vaping. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Among students with complete data (n = 3583 for susceptibility; n = 3784 for current use), vaping status showed strong graded associations with both outcomes. Compared with non-susceptible non-users, odds of cannabis susceptibility were higher among susceptible non-users (AOR = 10.44), current vapers (AOR = 5.50), and ever vapers (AOR = 3.73). For current cannabis use, odds were elevated among current (AOR = 7.13) and ever vapers (AOR = 6.13), while susceptible non-users did not differ from the reference. Clustering with other substances was pronounced: current and ever smokers and current and ever drinkers had substantially higher odds of cannabis use. Male sex and close-friend vaping were also associated. Vaping was independently associated with higher cannabis susceptibility and use among Thai secondary-school students. Despite the limits of cross-sectional data, patterns align with stage-based/common-liability models and support integrated school-based prevention that addresses multi-product use and shared psychosocial and peer-norm risks amid Thailand's shifting policy context.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Public health
Published: May 17, 2026
PMID: 42143836
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2026.106334

Authors (5)

Chakkraphan Phetphum Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; Tobacco Control Research Unit, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. Electronic address: chakgarphanp@nu.ac.th.
Atchara Prajongjeep Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Pitsanulok, Thailand. Electronic address: atchara.pr@scphpl.ac.th.
Orawan Keeratisiroj Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. Electronic address: orawansa@nu.ac.th.
Supanee Boonyom Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. Electronic address: supaneeb@nu.ac.th.
Wannipa Seerung Sirindhorn College of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Pitsanulok, Thailand. Electronic address: wannipa.se@scphpl.ac.th.