Students who smoke or vape experience mental health problems more often

The new Smoking and vaping among students (universities of applied sciences and research universities) factsheet from the Trimbos Institute also shows that students who smoke or vape daily experience mental health problems more often than students who do not do so daily. In addition, users have an increased risk of an alcohol use disorder with both daily and non-daily use of tobacco or vapes, compared with students who do not smoke or vape.

For the factsheet, existing literature was examined and in-depth analyses were conducted using the Student Mental Health and Substance Use Monitor (MMMS).

Factsheet supports professionals in practice

The factsheet supports professionals in education and prevention in identifying and discussing smoking and vaping among students. The factsheet provides an overview of:

• the most recent figures on smoking and vaping among students at universities of applied sciences and research universities
• factors associated with smoking and vaping
• students' motives for smoking or vaping
• possible consequences of smoking and vaping
• practical guidance for student counsellors and prevention workers to help prevent and reduce smoking and vaping and to initiate discussions about this with students.