E-cigarette use may increase the risk of problem gambling

What this research is about What you need to know Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are devices that vaporize a liquid that contains nicotine. The users then This study explored the use of e-cigarette in a inhale the vapor. Research has found higher rates of group of gamblers in the U.S. A. E-cigarettes were smoking among gamblers compared to the general commonly used by gamblers, especially those who public. Little research has investigated e-cigarette use smoked. E-cigarette use was associated with having among gamblers. Although smoking ban in public places more severe gambling problems and participation has been in place for a while in the U.S.A., some in a greater number of gambling activities. gambling venues seem to allow e-cigarette use. Common reasons for use of e-cigarette while gambling included: relaxation, nicotine Research has suggested that smoking while gambling dependence, and being legal in casinos. Policy can lead to more problematic gambling behaviour. It is makers should consider if policies should be in possible that gamblers may switch to use e-cigarette in place to restrict or ban the use of e-cigarette in casinos due to the smoking ban in public places. The gambling venues. aim of this study was to estimate rates of e-cigarette use in a group of gamblers from the U.S.A. It also that they had ever used e-cigarette and 17.6% reported explored how e-cigarette use was associated with that they had used e-cigarette in the past 30 days. smoking and gambling behaviours, and reasons for About 1 in 10 gamblers had used e-cigarette while using e-cigarettes. gambling in the past 12 months. Gamblers who smoked were more likely to report e-cigarette use compared to What the researcher did those who did not smoke. Those with gambling disorder The researchers recruited 564 U.S. residents who had were also more likely to report e-cigarette use gambled in the past 12 months. In November 2015, compared to those without gambling disorder. These each participant completed an online survey. The results suggested that e-cigarette use was quite survey collected information about demographics, common among regular gamblers, especially among smoking and e-cigarette use, and gambling behaviour. gamblers who smoked. Demographics included age, gender, employment, marital status, and ethnicity. Gambling behaviour E-cigarette use in the past 30 days was associated with included number of gambling activities in the past 12 occasional smoking, having more severe gambling months and gambling severity. The survey also asked problems, increased gambling activities and not participants to provide reasons for use of e-cigarette participating in sports gambling. E-cigarette use while while gambling. gambling was associated with having more severe gambling problems and increased gambling activities. What the researcher found Daily smoking, purchasing stocks, and raffle Less than half of the participants (37.6%) met the participation was associated with not using e-cigarette criteria for gambling disorder. About 38.7% reported while gambling.

The most common reasons for use of e-cigarette while York University to produce Research Snapshots. GREO gambling were relaxation, nicotine dependence, and is an independent knowledge translation and exchange being legal in casinos. Other reasons included liking the organization that aims to eliminate harm from sensory features, wanting to quit smoking, and use of e- gambling. Our goal is to support evidence-informed cigarette for enjoyment. decision making in responsible gambling policies, standards and practices. The work we do is intended How you can use this research for researchers, policy makers, gambling regulators and The findings of this study could be useful to policy operators, and treatment and prevention service makers. Specifically, jurisdictions need to consider providers. having policies in place to restrict or prevent e-cigarette Learn more about GREO by visiting greo.ca or emailing use in gambling venues. Use of e-cigarette reduces the [email protected] . need for smoke breaks while gambling. Without smoke breaks, gamblers have more playing time and this can increase the risk of problem gambling.

Future research is needed to explore the reasons for e- cigarette use in gambling venues and its influence on gambling behaviour. Researchers should also inquire into the legal status of e-cigarette use in gambling venues.

About the Researcher Daniel S. McGrath, Hyoun S. Kim, Nicole K. Romanow and David C. Hodgins are affiliated with the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Celina A. Boothby is affiliated with the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. The first author, Daniel S. McGrath, can be contacted by email at [email protected] .

Citation McGrath, D. S., Kim, H. S., Boothby, C. A., Romanow, N. K., & Hodgins, D. C. (2016). Patterns and motives for electronic cigarette use in a sample of community- recruited gamblers. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction , 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-016-9722-y Keywords Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), gambling, smoking, co-morbidity

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