title: Transitioning From Cigarettes to Electronic Cigarettes Increases Alcohol Consumption.
abstract: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are a nicotine delivery device that have recently been linked to alcohol use. Many individuals that smoke cigarettes transition to e-cigs as an alternative to cigarette use, despite potential negative health effects of e-cigs. No research to date has examined how former smokers that have transitioned to e-cigs differ from former smokers that do not use e-cigs, particularly in relation to alcohol use. Further, no research has examined how former smokers that use e-cigs regularly or socially may differ in alcohol consumption.
  
  
  
  Using an online community dwelling sample (Former smokers N = 198, mean age = 34.70, SD = 11.45, 56.1% female, 78.3% Caucasian, 37.9% e-cig users), the present study assessed smoking status and alcohol use, with the latter assessed using a timeline followback calendar and the alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT).
  
  
  
  In all former smokers, total drinks (b = 4.01, p = 0.02) and average drinks per drinking day (b = 0.61, p =.01) were both related to e-cig use status, with e-cig users reporting higher alcohol consumption. Among e-cig using former smokers, social users, but not regular users, showed positive relationships with AUDIT scores, b = 1.90, p =.02, total drinks, b = 9.12, p <.001, average drinks, b = 0.98, p =.006, and hazardous drinking status, OR = 3.21, p =.01.
  
  
  
  Findings suggest that: (1) former smokers who use e-cigs may have a potential for higher alcohol use; and (2) those who use e-cigs socially may be at heightened risk for hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption. This should be taken into consideration by healthcare providers.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hershberger
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors.forename: J Davis
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: VanderVeen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors.forename: Kenny A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Karyadi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cyders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D062789:Tobacco Products
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Cigarettes; alcohol; e-cigarettes; former smokers; smoking