History of marijuana use and tobacco smoking topography in tobacco-dependent adolescents

7Adolescent tobacco smokers have higher rates of marijuana (MJ) use than nonsmokers. Because MJ smoking typically involves deeper inhalation and longer breathholding than tobacco smoking, we hypothesized greater puff volume, longer puff duration and puff interval, and higher puff velocity during tobacco smoking among (1) MJ-using teens; (2) teens whose onset of MJ smoking occurred before tobacco (MBT). One hundred and three tobacco-dependent adolescents presented for smoking cessation treatment (66.0% female, 71.0% European American, mean age 15.3 +/- 1.25 years) smoked one cigarette of their own brand in the laboratory prior to study entry. Topography and associated physiological measures among current recreational ( < 5 days in a 14-day period) MJ users (n = 25), current heavy ( greater than or equal to 5 days in a 14-day period) MJ users (n = 22) and current non-MJ-smoking teens (n = 56) were compared. There were no differences in tobacco smoking topography or physiological measures by recent MJ-smoking history or by order of substance initiation. Significantly more African American than European American adolescent smokers reported MJ use before tobacco. Our findings in adolescent smokers are consistent with results from adult studies in which history of MJ smoking was not associated with changes in tobacco smoking topography. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.