Associations between harm perceptions of secondhand nicotine and cannabis exposure and use among adolescents

Perceptions of secondhand exposure may influence adolescent use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and cannabis. In Spring 2024, 4760 Connecticut high school students completed an online survey assessing perceived harms from secondhand exposure to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smoked or vaped cannabis. Compared to never use, low perceived harm of secondhand exposure to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smoked and vaped cannabis were significantly associated with higher odds of current use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smoked and vaped cannabis, respectively (all p s < 0.05). Additionally, low perceived harm of secondhand exposure to smoked and vaped cannabis were associated with ever (vs never) smoked or vaped cannabis, respectively (all p s < 0.05). Low harm perceptions of secondhand exposure to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or cannabis were associated with current use of these products. Public health interventions should provide evidence-based information about the potential risks of secondhand exposure to smoked and vaped nicotine and/or cannabis products and support informed perceptions of these risks among adolescents.