Current e-cigarette use among US college students: Intersectional examination of sexual and gender minority status and race/ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and correlates of current e-cigarette use among US college students by the intersection of sexual and gender minority (SGM) status and race/ethnicity.

PARTICIPANTS

A national sample (N = 176,064) of college students from Fall 2019 to Fall 2022.

METHODS

A multi-year cross-sectional data analysis of the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III.

RESULTS

The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was higher among SGM students (22.0%) than cisgender heterosexuals (19.1%) (p < .001). Higher odds of current e-cigarette use were observed for SGM students than cisgender heterosexuals in racial/ethnic minority groups (p < .001 for all) but not in non-Hispanic Whites.

CONCLUSIONS

E-cigarette use prevention strategies should consider SGM status and racial/ethnicity when identifying their targets. Increased health promotion efforts to educate SGM students, particularly those with multiple minority statuses, about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use are needed to address e-cigarette use disparities.