Understanding Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Use, Cessation Strategies and Intervention Opportunities with Young Adults in UK Further Education Colleges: A Mixed Methods Study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding Tobacco and Cannabis Co-Use, Cessation Strategies and Intervention Opportunities with Young Adults in UK Further Education Colleges

T2 - A Mixed Methods Study

AU - Walsh, Hannah

AU - McNeill, Ann

AU - Duaso, Maria J.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

PY - 2025/7/21

Y1 - 2025/7/21

N2 - IntroductionTobacco and cannabis co-use is common but the two are rarely co-assessed or co-treated. We present a mixed methods study of UK young adults which aims to explore co-use and quitting behaviors. MethodsThis sequential explanatory mixed methods study used the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation–Behavior model to design a survey and interview schedule comprising elements of the Theoretical Domains Framework. The survey investigated tobacco and cannabis co-use, attitudes toward and experiences of quitting behaviors within Further Education students aged 16-30 with recent use of tobacco and cannabis. Chi-square and t-tests explored differences between substances in quitting behaviors. Survey respondents were invited to an interview to further explore beliefs and experiences of co-use and quitting. Results141 participants responded to the survey, and 18 participated in an interview. 40% used tobacco daily and 21% used cannabis daily or almost daily. Most (86.5%) had made some effort to quit or reduce their use of tobacco and/or cannabis in the past six months but few used any formal support to do so. Quitting one was significantly associated with quitting the other (p = 0.01). Motivation to quit tobacco was significantly higher than cannabis (t83=7.38, p = 0.01). Gaps in capability and opportunity to quit were identified. Co-use intervention opportunities are suggested. ConclusionsFew young adults used formal support when quitting tobacco or cannabis, and motivation to quit varied between tobacco and cannabis although quitting one substance was associated with quitting the other. Opportunities to quit or reduce harmful use of either or both are required.

AB - IntroductionTobacco and cannabis co-use is common but the two are rarely co-assessed or co-treated. We present a mixed methods study of UK young adults which aims to explore co-use and quitting behaviors. MethodsThis sequential explanatory mixed methods study used the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation–Behavior model to design a survey and interview schedule comprising elements of the Theoretical Domains Framework. The survey investigated tobacco and cannabis co-use, attitudes toward and experiences of quitting behaviors within Further Education students aged 16-30 with recent use of tobacco and cannabis. Chi-square and t-tests explored differences between substances in quitting behaviors. Survey respondents were invited to an interview to further explore beliefs and experiences of co-use and quitting. Results141 participants responded to the survey, and 18 participated in an interview. 40% used tobacco daily and 21% used cannabis daily or almost daily. Most (86.5%) had made some effort to quit or reduce their use of tobacco and/or cannabis in the past six months but few used any formal support to do so. Quitting one was significantly associated with quitting the other (p = 0.01). Motivation to quit tobacco was significantly higher than cannabis (t83=7.38, p = 0.01). Gaps in capability and opportunity to quit were identified. Co-use intervention opportunities are suggested. ConclusionsFew young adults used formal support when quitting tobacco or cannabis, and motivation to quit varied between tobacco and cannabis although quitting one substance was associated with quitting the other. Opportunities to quit or reduce harmful use of either or both are required.

KW - cannabis

KW - co-use

KW - Further Education

KW - mental health

KW - Tobacco

KW - young adults

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105011281333

U2 - 10.1080/10826084.2025.2533985

DO - 10.1080/10826084.2025.2533985

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105011281333

SN - 1082-6084

VL - 60

SP - 2125

EP - 2135

JO - Substance Use and Misuse

JF - Substance Use and Misuse

IS - 14

ER -