SALT LAKE CITY — Researchers at Utah State University say college students who vape are more likely to deal with alcohol-related problems later in life.

They came to this conclusion after a four-year study of students from three U.S. universities. The research method involved ecological momentary assessment, which is a form of research that involves real-time data collection. In other words, study participants are asked about their experiences and behaviors while they are actually conducting those behaviors.

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Utah State University Assistant Professor and lead author of the study, Tzung-Shiang Ou, said they learned that students who vape tend to drink more alcohol than others and that may be the case because vaping is a social activity.

“Which also makes it harder for students to notice when their drinking is becoming a problematic behavior.”

Unintended consequence of the vaping/alcohol mix

Ou hypothesized that when combining vaping with alcohol, students don’t realize their drinking is getting worse and might not recognize when it has become a problem.

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The USU researchers said the results of their study are especially important right now. Ou said that more than 12% of their subjects reported vaping in the past 30 days. A 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health found that 24% of college students reported vaping.

Ou suggested several outcomes that can come from the research. He hopes universities and colleges will review their substance use policies, and that the study promotes better conversations with students about stress management.