French student vapers rarely used THC or CBD vaping

OBJECTIVES: There is little data on vaping non-nicotine substances (NNS vaping) among young adults, its relationship with other methods of consuming cannabinoids, or how this practice is perceived in France. Our research aimed to: (i) measure the association between Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use in the past 12 months and NNS vaping; (ii) describe THC and cannabidiol (CBD) vaping; and (iii) explore reasons for, and barriers to, THC and CBD vaping. METHODS: We led explanatory sequential research in a French university, combining data from a cross-sectional sub-study among current vapers and a qualitative sub-study among daily vapers. RESULTS: Among the 206 student vapers of the quantitative sub-study (median age: 21, men: 60.5%), 11 of whom reported NNS vaping with a predominance of THC or CBD vaping. After adjustment, no significant association was found between THC use in the past 12 months and NNS vaping (aOR=2.29, 95% CI: 0.23-22.37). The qualitative sub-study had 30 participants (median age: 21.5, men: 57%). They did not regularly vape cannabinoids and were largely unaware of this practice. Some intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing cannabinoid vaping were identified as either facilitators or barriers to the practice. Cannabinoid vaping was perceived as appealing primarily among heavy THC consumers. CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study the cannabinoid vaping was uncommon among student vapers and had not become the norm. Further research is necessary to understand cannabinoid vaping practices, particularly in the event of changes to French THC and CBD regulations.