Perceptions and Use of Cannabis Vaping Products Amongst Youth: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 1100 Cannabis Consumers

With the legalisation of cannabis products in Canada, there is a growing interest amongst youth in cannabis vaping products. This study aimed to explore the motivations behind the use of cannabis vaping products amongst youth and examine differences between frequent cannabis vapers and those who use other forms of cannabis. An online survey was conducted amongst youth aged 12–25 years. Descriptive statistics summarised responses separating youth who had frequently used (≥ weekly), occasionally used (< weekly to once per month), or did not use a cannabis vaping product in the past 12 months. A total of 1143 youth completed the study of which 830 (72.6%) had vaped cannabis in the past year, with most vaping cannabis oil (94.7%). Those who vaped weekly reported use of greater cannabis product diversity, higher tetrahydrocannabinol content, and increased spending compared to non-vapers. Vaping cannabis was perceived to be easier to conceal, had a faster onset of the high, and lacked odour in comparison to other cannabis products. Notably, 34.2% of youth who vaped considered flavour somewhat or very important in sustaining cannabis vaping use, with fruit flavours being the most popular. Youth from higher-income households and those using nicotine vaping devices were more likely to vape cannabis weekly (odds ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence intervals: 1.00–3.34 and 3.38, 1.99–5.73, respectively). Further research understanding why and how cannabis vaping products are used by youth is needed to understand potential harms associated with use as well as to create tailored education materials and messaging.