Friend and family influence on electronic cigarette use among hispanic adolescents nationwide

Background: While electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is rapidly increasing and recent projections show that the Hispanic population is becoming one of the fastest growing populations in the United States, a better understanding of social factors associated with e-cigarette use among Hispanic adolescents may elucidate trends and provide information to tailor interventions that can be implemented to decrease rates. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence friend and family factors have on lifetime e-cigarette use, past year ecigarette use, and perceptions of trying e-cigarettes soon in a national sample of Hispanic junior high and high school students. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey including 6,044 Hispanic adolescents was conducted. We performed logistic regression analyses to examine whether e-cigarette use differed based on friend and family factors while controlling for sex and grade level. Then, we performed follow-up regression analyses to examine differences by grade level while controlling for sex. Results: Over one-fifth (22.8%) of Hispanic students have used ecigarettes in their lifetime, 11.1% used in the past 30 days, and one-fifth (20.5%) think they will try e-cigarettes soon. Results revealed students who reported that young people who use e-cigarettes have more friends were 3-4 times more likely to report lifetime use, recent use, and think they will try e-cigarettes soon. Students who reported that if one of their best friends offered an e-cigarette that they would use were nearly 27 times more likely to report lifetime use, 38 times more likely to report recent use, and 77 times more likely to try e-cigarettes soon. Students who lived with someone who used e-cigarettes were 5-6 times more likely to report lifetime use, recent use, and think they will try e-cigarettes soon. Junior high school students who reported that young people who use e-cigarettes have more friends were 4-5 times more likely to report lifetime use, recent use and think they will try e-cigarettes soon. Junior high school students who reported that if one of their best friends offered an e-cigarette that they would use were 29 times more likely to report lifetime use, 44 times more likely to report recent use, and 74 times more likely to try e-cigarettes soon. Junior high school students who lived with someone who used e-cigarettes were 5-6 times more likely to report lifetime use, recent use, and think they will try e-cigarettes soon. Similar findings were indicated in high school students, although, lower odds ratios were found based on friend factors. Discussion: Results supported the ideas that family and friend use of e-cigarettes strongly influenced use among Hispanic adolescents. Prevention messages and interventions to reduce smoking among Hispanic students are necessary efforts in improving their health.