| Journal | American journal of preventive medicine |
| Study Type | Clinical Study |
| Population | Human participants |
With nearly 9% of adults in high-tobacco states co-using cannabis and cigarettes, clinicians need to understand this dual-substance pattern to address combined respiratory and cardiovascular risks. The finding that 45% of cigarette smokers also use cannabis represents a significant clinical population requiring integrated harm reduction strategies.
This probability-sample survey of 9,100 adults across 13 high-tobacco-burden states found 8.7% prevalence of cannabis-cigarette co-use, with nearly half of current cigarette smokers also using cannabis. Co-users averaged 12.8 cigarettes daily and used cannabis 18.9 days monthly, suggesting regular dual consumption patterns. The study provides population-level prevalence data but lacks longitudinal outcomes or direct health impact measurements, limiting conclusions about causality or combined health effects.
“This confirms what I observe clinicallyโcannabis and tobacco use frequently cluster together, particularly in patients with higher baseline substance use risk. The 45% co-use rate among cigarette smokers tells me I need to routinely screen for both substances when either is present.”
💬 Join the Conversation
Have a question about how this applies to your situation? Ask Dr. Caplan →
Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? Join the forum discussion →
Have thoughts on this? Share it:
Table of Contents
- FAQ
- How common is concurrent cannabis and cigarette use among my patients?
- Which patients are at highest risk for cannabis-cigarette co-use?
- What usage patterns should I expect in patients who co-use both substances?
- Are there additional health risks when patients use both cannabis and cigarettes?
- Should I screen for cannabis use in all my cigarette-smoking patients?
FAQ
How common is concurrent cannabis and cigarette use among my patients?
Cannabis-cigarette co-use affects 8.7% of adults in high-tobacco-burden states. Among current cigarette smokers specifically, 45% also use cannabis concurrently, making this a significant clinical concern requiring routine screening.
Which patients are at highest risk for cannabis-cigarette co-use?
Current cigarette smokers have the highest risk, with 45% reporting concurrent cannabis use compared to 24.5% of former smokers and 12.3% of never-smokers. This pattern suggests shared risk factors and potential cross-reinforcement between substances.
What usage patterns should I expect in patients who co-use both substances?
Co-users typically smoke an average of 12.8 cigarettes per day and use cannabis on 18.9 days per month. This represents substantial exposure to both substances with frequent, regular use patterns.
Are there additional health risks when patients use both cannabis and cigarettes?
Yes, there may be additive health risks associated with cannabis-cigarette co-use beyond the individual risks of each substance. However, the specific nature and magnitude of these combined risks require further research to fully characterize.
Should I screen for cannabis use in all my cigarette-smoking patients?
Given that nearly half of cigarette smokers also use cannabis, routine screening for cannabis use among smoking patients is clinically warranted. This high co-occurrence rate makes targeted screening an efficient approach for identifying dual substance use.