Use of online food delivery services among adults in five countries from the International Food Policy Study 2018-2021.

Aim: Online food delivery services (OFDS) are popular for purchasing meals prepared outside home, increasing access to energy-dense and nutrient-poor foods. This adversely impacts dietary choices and health outcomes. Our study examined trends in OFDS use in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) from 2018 to 2021. Methods: Repeated annual cross-sectional data was sourced from the International Food Policy Study for five countries among adults over 18 years (N = 83,337). Weighted estimates for trends in i) the proportion of the respondent's purchasing meals per week using OFDS, and ii) average number (and standard deviation (SD)) of meals purchased per week using OFDS were assessed. Logistic regression models were fitted. Findings: OFDS use increased among adults between 2018-2021 (Australia: 17 % of respondents purchased at least one meal in the last 7 days using OFDS in 2018 to 25 % in 2021, Canada: 12 % to 19 %, Mexico: 28 % to 38 %, UK: 19 % to 28 %, and US: 17 % to 21 %). Average number of meals purchased per week outside home remained consistent for all countries over time (e.g., in Australia, 2.70 (SD 0.06) meals in 2018 and 2.63 (SD 0.06) in 2021). However, average number of meals purchased using OFDS nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021 (e.g., in Australia, 0.45 (SD 0.03) meals in 2018 to 0.81 (SD 0.04) in 2021). Conclusion: OFDS use is increasing and are substituting the conventional forms of purchasing meals outside home. Nutritional quality of foods sold, marketing practices and purchasing patterns on OFDS deserve further attention.

Cannabidiol-Only Product Use in Pregnancy in the United States and Canada: Findings From the International Cannabis Policy Study.

This study aimed to characterize pregnant individuals' use of cannabidiol (CBD). Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study (2019-2021), a repeated cross-sectional survey of individuals aged 16-65 years in the United States and Canada (N=66,457 women, including 1,096 pregnant women). The primary analysis compared pregnant and nonpregnant women's CBD-only product use patterns and reasons for use. The prevalence of CBD-only use in pregnant women was 20.4% compared with 11.3% among nonpregnant women, P<.001. Reasons for CBD use among pregnant women included anxiety (58.4%), depression (40.3%), posttraumatic stress disorder (32.1%); pain (52.3%), headache (35.6%), and nausea or vomiting (31.9%). Thus, CBD-only product use was prevalent in this large sample, with one in five pregnant women reporting use. Characterization of prenatal CBD use is an important first step to exploring potential risks to exposed offspring.

Prevalence of cannabis use and the frequency, types, and sources of cannabis products used in northern remote territories of the Canadian legal cannabis market.

OBJECTIVE: The Cannabis Policy Study in the Territories (CPST) is an annual repeat cross-sectional study aiming to evaluate the impacts of cannabis legalization in the Canadian territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), where there is a paucity of data on cannabis use. This current study's objective was to describe the 2022 CPST, including methods, population prevalence estimates of cannabis use, and legal cannabis sources and perceptions in the territories. METHODS: The 2022 CPST includes 2462 respondents (aged 16 +) residing in the territories who either use or do not use cannabis. Respondents were recruited through mail-push-to-web invitations sent via licensed mailing lists, sampling from a near census of households in the territories. Population-weighted indicators of cannabis use are described. RESULTS: Past 12-month cannabis use was self-reported by 46.1%, and 21.8% self-reported daily/almost daily use. The most commonly used product types among past 12-month consumers were dried flower (73.4%), edibles (59.0%), and vape oils (35.7%). On average, 74.8% of cannabis products used in the past 12 months were from legal sources, though legal sourcing varied by product type (54.4‒92.2%). Cannabis consumers reported favourable perceptions of legal compared to illegal cannabis products regarding quality, convenience, and safety, but a lesser extent for price. CONCLUSION: Cannabis use is highly prevalent in the territories, particularly daily/almost daily use, and legal market penetration is high despite region remoteness. Following cannabis legalization, monitoring cannabis use prevalence and patterns in remote regions is important for informing the development of harm reduction and prevention initiatives that consider the unique needs of these regions.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: L'Étude sur les politiques relatives au cannabis dans les territoires (Cannabis Policy Study in the Territories ‒ CPST) est une étude transversale annuelle qui a pour but d'évaluer les répercussions de la légalisation du cannabis dans les territoires canadiens (Yukon, Territoires du Nord-Ouest et Nunavut), où il existe peu de données sur la consommation de cannabis. L'objectif de la présente étude était de décrire l'étude CPST de 2022, y compris la méthodologie, les estimations de la prévalence de la consommation de cannabis au sein de la population, ainsi que les sources et les perceptions du cannabis vendu légalement dans les territoires. MéTHODES: L'étude CPST menée en 2022 a consisté à interroger 2 462 personnes âgées de 16 ans et plus qui résident dans les territoires. Les répondants incluent des personnes qui consomment du cannabis et d'autres qui n'en consomment pas. Les répondants ont été recrutés au moyen d'invitations envoyées par la poste à partir de listes d'envoi autorisées. Les échantillons ont été effectués à partir d'un quasi-recensement des ménages qui résident dans les territoires. Les indicateurs pondérés en population de la consommation de cannabis sont décrits. RéSULTATS: Au cours des 12 derniers mois, le pourcentage d'autodéclarations de consommation de cannabis était de 46,1 %, et 21,8 % des répondants ont déclaré consommer quotidiennement ou presque. Les produits les plus couramment utilisés par les consommateurs au cours des 12 derniers mois étaient les fleurs séchées (73,4 %), les produits comestibles (59,0 %) et les huiles de vapotage (35,7 %). En moyenne, 74,8 % des produits de cannabis consommés au cours des 12 derniers mois provenaient de sources légales, bien que l'approvisionnement légal varie selon le type de produit (de 54,4 % à 92,2 %). Les consommateurs de cannabis ont déclaré percevoir favorablement les produits de cannabis vendus légalement comparativement aux produits vendus illégalement en ce qui a trait à la qualité, à la commodité et à la sécurité, mais dans une moindre mesure en matière de prix. CONCLUSION: La consommation de cannabis est très répandue dans les territoires, en particulier la consommation quotidienne ou presque quotidienne. De plus, la pénétration du marché des produits vendus légalement est élevée malgré l'éloignement des régions. À la suite de la légalisation du cannabis, la surveillance de la prévalence et des tendances de consommation du cannabis dans les régions éloignées fournit des renseignements importants pour l'élaboration d'initiatives de réduction des méfaits et de prévention qui tiennent compte des besoins uniques de ces régions.

Canada's THC unit: Applications for the legal cannabis market.

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has accelerated the need for a standardized approach to measuring and communicating the amount of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis products. This article offers an overview of the considerations associated with establishing and implementing a standard THC unit in the Canadian context. The article begins by discussing the applications of a standard THC unit, emphasizing its potential use in product labelling, consumer education, and product reporting and surveillance. The article then examines key considerations for identifying what a Canadian THC unit should be set at, specifically within the context of a country with a regulated commercial cannabis market. This is followed by a discussion of additional considerations related to the adoption of a Canadian THC unit, including its use across various product formats and modes of administration. A significant focus of this article is on prioritizing public health and safety and informed decision-making among adult consumers as the legal cannabis market evolves. Collaboration among various stakeholders, such as government agencies, industry, and public health professionals, is highlighted as crucial for a successful transition to the use of Canada's THC unit.

Associations between vaping and self-reported respiratory symptoms in young people in Canada, England and the US.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of youth nicotine vaping has increased, heightening concerns around negative health effects. This study aimed to compare self-reported respiratory symptoms among youth by vaping behaviours. METHODS: Participants (n = 39,214) aged 16-19 from the 2020 and 2021 International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) Youth Tobacco and Vaping Surveys (Canada, England, US). Weighted multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between reporting any of five respiratory symptoms in the past week (shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, phlegm, cough) and: past 30-day smoking and/or vaping; lifetime/current vaping. Among past-30-day vapers (n = 4644), we assessed associations between symptoms and vaping frequency, use of nicotine salts, usual flavour and device type(s). RESULTS: Overall, 27.8% reported experiencing any of the five respiratory symptoms. Compared with youth who had only vaped, those who had only smoked had similar odds of symptoms [adjusted odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI): 0.97 (0.85-1.10)], those who both smoked and vaped had higher odds [1.26 (1.12-1.42)], and those who had done neither, lower odds [0.67 (0.61-0.72)]. Compared with those who had never vaped, past use, experimentation and current regular or occasional use were all associated with higher odds. Reporting usually using nicotine salts was associated with higher odds of symptoms [1.43 (1.22-1.68)] than non-salt but was often uncertain. Compared with tobacco flavour (including with menthol), menthol/mint and sweets flavours were associated with similar odds; fruit [1.44 (1.07-1.93)], multiple [1.76 (1.30-2.39)] and 'other' [2.14 (1.45-3.16)] flavours with higher odds. All device types were associated with similar odds. CONCLUSIONS: Among youth, vaping was associated with increased reporting of past-week respiratory symptoms. Among those who vaped, some flavour types and potentially nicotine salts were associated with respiratory symptoms.

Use of Menthol Cigarettes and Accessories Among Youth Who Smoked After the Menthol Cigarette Ban in England and Canada, 2021: Implications for Health Equity.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined menthol cigarette use among youth who smoked, after menthol cigarette bans were implemented in England (May 2020) and Canada (October 2017). AIMS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data come from 2021 ITC Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey respondents aged 16-19 who smoked in the past 30 d in England (N = 715) and Canada (N = 419). Adjusted logistic regression models, estimated separately for each country, examined sociodemographic correlates of usually smoking menthol cigarettes (reporting currently most often smoking menthol cigarettes) overall, and by past 30-d use of any menthol accessories (e.g., filters, capsules). Youth reported the cigarette variety they smoked most often, coded as menthol or nonmenthol. RESULTS: Almost no youth who smoked in the past 30 d reported most often smoking a cigarette variety coded as menthol. However, 34.5% (95% CI: 30.4% to 38.9%) of youth who smoke in England and 30.9% (26.0%-36.3%) in Canada reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes, with greater odds of use among those identifying as black, or other race/ethnicity, respectively, compared to white in England (60.0%, aOR = 3.08, p = .001; 47.4%, aOR = 2.27, p = .011) and Canada (43.6%, aOR = 2.44, p = .046; 51.2%, aOR = 2.92, p = .001). Among those who reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes in England (N = 223) and Canada (N = 108), 71.7% (64.0%-78.2%) and 51.5% (41.1%-61.7%) reported using menthol accessories. CONCLUSIONS: After menthol cigarette bans in England and Canada, approximately one-third of youth who smoked reported usually smoking menthol cigarettes, with disproportionately higher use among those identifying as black and other race/ethnicity. Menthol accessories accounted for most menthol cigarette use. Closing regulatory loopholes is critical to advancing public health equity. IMPLICATIONS: Use of menthol cigarette accessories (eg, filters, cards, capsules) among youth who smoked was prevalent after implementation of menthol cigarette bans in England and Canada, and there was disproportionately higher use among those who identified as black and any other race/ethnicity. Efforts are therefore required to close regulatory loopholes of menthol cigarette bans. Findings further support countries, such as the United States, proposing menthol cigarette bans which extend coverage to accessories. More comprehensive menthol bans that also restrict accessories are likely to be more effective in reducing flavored tobacco use among young people and in advancing health equity.

Screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying victimization: Findings from an international sample of adolescents.

Screen time, social media, and weight-related bullying are ubiquitous among adolescents. However, little research has been conducted among international samples. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying victimization among an international sample of adolescents from six countries. Data from the 2020 International Food Policy Study Youth Survey were analyzed (N = 12,031). Multiple modified Poisson regression models were estimated to determine the associations between weekday hours of five forms of screen time, and total screen time, and use of six contemporary social media platforms and weight-related bullying victimization. Analyses were conducted among the overall sample, and stratified by country (Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United Kingdom, United States). Greater hours of weekday screen time and use of each of the six social media platforms were associated with weight-related bullying victimization among the sample. Each additional hour of social media use was equivalent to a 13% (confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.16) increase in the prevalence of weight-related bullying victimization. The use of Twitter was associated with a 69% (CI 1.53-1.84) increase in the prevalence of weight-related bullying victimization. Associations between hours of weekday screen time, use of six social media, and weight-related bullying victimization differed by country. Findings underscore the associations between screen time, social media, and weight-related bullying among a sample of adolescents from six medium- and high-income countries. Country-specific and global public health and technology efforts are needed to address this burgeoning social problem.

#junkfluenced: the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages by social media influencers popular with Canadian children on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

BACKGROUND: Marketing of unhealthy foods to children on digital media significantly impacts their dietary preferences and contributes to diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Canadian children spend a significant amount of time on digital devices and are frequently exposed to unhealthy food marketing on social media, including by influencers with celebrity status who endorse products. This study aimed to examine the frequency, healthfulness, and power of unhealthy food marketing in posts by influencers popular with Canadian children on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. METHODS: The top 9 influencers popular amongst Canadian children aged 10-12 years were identified from the 2021 International Food Policy Study Youth Survey. A total of 2,232 Instagram, YouTube and TikTok posts made by these influencers between June 1st 2021 and May 31st 2022 were examined for instances of food marketing. Food products/brands were identified and frequencies were calculated for the number of posts promoting food products/brands, posts promoting products/brands classified as less healthy according to Health Canada's Nutrient Profile Model (2018) and marketing techniques utilized. RESULTS: YouTube had the highest average rate of food marketing instances per post, at a rate of 1 food marketing instance every 0.7 posts, while TikTok and Instagram had instances every 10.2 posts and 19.3 posts, respectively. Overall, fast food restaurants was the most promoted food category (21%), followed by regular soft drinks (13%), snacks (11%), candy and chocolate (11%) and water (8%). The most frequently used marketing techniques were appeals to fun/cool (37%), the use of songs or music (28%) and the product being consumed (25%). In terms of healthfulness, 83% of the products/brands (87% of brands and 82% of products) promoted were classified as less healthy. CONCLUSIONS: Social media influencers play a substantial role in promoting unhealthy food products to children, primarily fast food items. Given the significant impact of such marketing on children, there is a need for ongoing government-led monitoring, and it is crucial to include social media and influencer marketing in marketing restrictions targeting children in Canada to safeguard this vulnerable demographic.

The equitable impact of sugary drink taxation structures on sugary drink consumption among Canadians: a modelling study using the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the impact of 20 % flat-rate and tiered sugary drink tax structures on the consumption of sugary drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages and 100 % juice by age, sex and socio-economic position. DESIGN: We modelled the impact of price changes - for each tax structure - on the demand for sugary drinks by applying own- and cross-price elasticities to self-report sugary drink consumption measured using single-day 24-h dietary recalls from the cross-sectional, nationally representative 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition. For both 20 % flat-rate and tiered sugary drink tax scenarios, we used linear regression to estimate differences in mean energy intake and proportion of energy intake from sugary drinks by age, sex, education, food security and income. SETTING: Canada. PARTICIPANTS: 19 742 respondents aged 2 and over. RESULTS: In the 20 % flat-rate scenario, we estimated mean energy intake and proportion of daily energy intake from sugary drinks on a given day would be reduced by 29 kcal/d (95 % UI: 18, 41) and 1·3 % (95 % UI: 0·8, 1·8), respectively. Similarly, in the tiered tax scenario, additional small, but meaningful reductions were estimated in mean energy intake (40 kcal/d, 95 % UI: 24, 55) and proportion of daily energy intake (1·8 %, 95 % UI: 1·1, 2·5). Both tax structures reduced, but did not eliminate, inequities in mean energy intake from sugary drinks despite larger consumption reductions in children/adolescents, males and individuals with lower education, food security and income. CONCLUSIONS: Sugary drink taxation, including the additional benefit of taxing 100 % juice, could reduce overall and inequities in mean energy intake from sugary drinks in Canada.

Sociodemographic differences in nutrition labels effect on Chilean and Mexican youth.

Objective: To examine sociodemographic differences in the awareness, understanding, use and effect of nutrition labels among Mexican and Chilean youth. Methods: Online surveys among youth (10-17 years) were obtained in 2019 (n=2631). Participants reported their awareness, understanding, and use of their country-specific nutrition facts tables (NFT) and front-of-pack labels (FOPL) (Chile: warning labels [WLs]; Mexico: guideline daily amounts [GDA]). Additionally, participants reported their perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink after viewing one of six versions of it with different FOPL (no-label control, Health Star Rating, WLs, GDAs, Traffic Light, or Nutri-Score) during an experimental task. Results: Higher self-reported nutrition knowledge was associated with higher NFT and FOPL awareness, understanding, and use, except for WL use. WLs were the most effective FOPL in decreasing the perceived healthfulness of the sweetened fruit drink compared to a no-label condition and other FOP labels. In Chile, the effect of GDA differed by income adequacy, while in Mexico Nutri-Score differed by age. Conclusions: Results suggest that nutrition label awareness, use, understanding, and impact differ across demographics, favoring higher income and nutrition knowledge. Despite this, WLs are likely to have a positive impact on nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors among Mexican and Chilean youth, independently of their socio-demographic groups.

Comparison of indicators of dependence for vaping and smoking: Trends between 2017 and 2022 among youth in Canada, England and the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The current study sought to examine trends in indicators of dependence for youth vaping and smoking during a period of rapid evolution in the e-cigarette market. METHODS: Data are from repeat cross-sectional online surveys conducted between 2017 and 2022 among youth aged 16-19 in Canada, England, and the USA. Participants were 23,145 respondents who vaped and/or smoked in the past 30 days. Four dependence indicators were assessed for smoking and vaping (perceived addiction, frequent strong urges, time to first use after waking, days used in past month) and two for vaping only (use events per day, E-cigarette Dependence Scale). Regression models examined differences by survey wave and country, adjusting for sex, age, race, and exclusive/dual use. RESULTS: All six indicators of dependence increased between 2017 and 2022 among youth who vaped in the past 30 days (p<.001 for all). For example, more youth reported strong urges to vape at least most days in 2022 than in 2017 (Canada: 26.5% to 53.4%; England: 25.5% to 45.4%; USA: 31.6% to 50.3%). In 2017, indicators of vaping dependence were substantially lower than for smoking; however, by 2022, youth vaping was associated with a greater number of days used in the past month (Canada, USA), shorter time to first use (all countries), and a higher likelihood of frequent strong urges (Canada, USA) compared to youth smoking. CONCLUSIONS: From 2017 to 2022, indicators of vaping dependence increased substantially. By 2022, vaping dependence indices were comparable to those of smoking. IMPLICATIONS: Indicators of vaping dependence among youth have increased substantially since 2017 to levels that are comparable to cigarette dependence among youth who smoke. Future research should examine factors underlying the increase in dependence among youth who vape, including changes to the nicotine profile and design of e-cigarette products.

Use of 'Elf Bar' among youth and young adults who currently vape in England: cross-sectional associations with demographics, dependence indicators and reasons for use.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elf Bar is currently the leading e-cigarette (vape) brand in Great Britain. This study examined youth and young adults' use of Elf Bar, socio-demographic characteristics and dependence indicators and reasons for use over other brands. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Online 2022 International Tobacco Control Project Youth Tobacco and Vaping Survey (N = 1355 16-29-year-olds in England who had vaped in the past 30 days). MEASUREMENTS: Currently using Elf Bar most often (versus other brands) and associations with: socio-demographics, owning a vaping device, dependence indicators and reasons for brand choice. Logistic regressions were used. FINDINGS: Among 16-29-year-olds who vaped in the past 30 days, 48.4% (n = 732) reported Elf Bar as the brand they used most often. Among 16-17-year-olds, 40.7% used Elf Bar over other brands; this was lower than among 18-19-year-olds (60.1%) and 20-29-year-olds (47.4%) (P ≤ 0.002). Using Elf Bar over other brands was higher among those who were female (55.2 versus 41.5% male), identified as White (53.1 versus 30.9% other/mixed), a student (54.5 versus 44.3% not), did not own a vape (66.7 versus 44.4% who did) and typically vaped 5-8 hours after waking (62.7 versus 36.8% within 5 min) (P ≤ 0.044). Most who vaped but had never smoked used Elf Bar (64.3%), although use did not significantly differ from those who currently (45.4%), formerly (42.3%) or experimentally (48.7%) smoked (all P ≥ 0.060). Popular reasons for choosing Elf Bar over other brands were better flavour/taste (47.5%), less expensive (28.7%), easier to get (26.1%), smoother to inhale (24.0%) and popularity (23.1%). 'Better for quitting smoking' (10.1%) was least frequently selected reason for choosing Elf Bar over other brands. CONCLUSIONS: Elf Bar brand e-cigarettes were used by approximately half of 16-29-year-olds who vaped in England in 2022 and was mainly chosen over other brands for subjective responses (e.g. flavour/taste), rather than for quitting smoking.

Distribution of legal retail cannabis stores in Canada by neighbourhood deprivation.

OBJECTIVES: In legal cannabis markets, the distribution of retail stores has the potential to influence transitions from illegal to legal sources as well as consumer patterns of use. The current study examined the distribution of legal cannabis stores in Canada according to level of neighbourhood deprivation. METHODS: Postal code data for all legal cannabis stores in Canada were collected from government websites from October 2018 to September 2021. This data was linked to the Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec measures for material and social neighbourhood deprivation. Descriptive data are reported, including differences across provinces with different retail systems. RESULTS: At the national level, there were approximately 8.0 retail cannabis stores per 100,000 individuals age 15+ in September 2021. The distribution of stores was closely aligned with the expected distribution across levels of material deprivation: for example, 19.5% of stores were located in neighbourhoods with the lowest level of material deprivation versus 19.1% in the highest level. More cannabis stores were located in the 'most socially deprived' or 'socially deprived' neighbourhoods (37.2% and 22.1%, respectively), characterized by a higher proportion of residents who live alone, are unmarried, or in single-parent families. The distribution of stores in provinces and territories were generally consistent with national patterns with a few exceptions. CONCLUSION: In the first 3 years following cannabis legalization in Canada, retail cannabis stores were evenly distributed across materially deprived neighbourhoods but were more common in socially deprived neighbourhoods. Future monitoring of retail store locations is required as the legal retail market evolves in Canada.

A systematic review of cannabis health warning research.

Background: Cannabis legalization provides an opportunity to communicate with consumers through mandated health warnings on cannabis packaging. However, research on cannabis health warnings is a nascent field. Therefore, a review is needed to synthesize cannabis health warning research and inform ongoing policy discussions. Methods: This paper used systematic review guidelines to search online databases, including PubMed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, Jstor, Communication and Mass Media Complete, Medline, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. Search strings combined the terms "cannabis" or "marijuana" with "health warning" or "health warning message" or "warning label" or "health warning label" or "health information label." Results were synthesized narratively. Results: The search identified 90 research articles. After screening, 17 studies on the impact of cannabis health warnings were retained. Retained studies focused on the hypothetical effects of cannabis health warnings (n = 11; 64.7 %) and "real world" effects of implementing warnings post-legalization (n = 6; 35.3 %). Evidence indicated mandated cannabis health warnings improved noticing and recall of health warning content. Cannabis health warnings describing risks of addiction were consistently rated the least effective. Pictorial cannabis health warnings generally outperformed text-only warnings when displayed on their own, while experiments with warnings on products had mixed results. Cannabis health warnings decreased product appeal, mainly when package branding was minimized. Conclusions: Health warnings on cannabis packaging are an important strategy to communicate risk to consumers. Mandating warnings increased notice, recall, and health knowledge. Warnings with pictures and describing specific risks were most effective, as was showing warnings without product branding.

Assessing transnational spillover effects of Mexico's front-of-package nutritional labeling system among Mexican Americans in the US.

OBJECTIVE: In 2020, Mexico implemented innovative front-of-package nutrition warning labels (FoPWLs) for packaged foods to increase the salience and understanding of nutrition information. This study evaluated Mexican Americans' self-reported exposure to Mexican FoPWLs and self-reported effects of FoPWLs on purchasing behavior. METHODS: The 2021 International Food Policy Study surveyed online panels of adult Mexican Americans in the US (n = 3361) to self-report on buying food at Mexican-oriented stores, noticing Mexican FoPWLs, and being influenced by FoPWLs to purchase less of eight different unhealthy foods (each assessed separately). After recoding the frequency of buying foods in Mexican stores and noticing FoPWLs (i.e., "often" or "very often" vs. less often), logistic models regressed these outcomes on sociodemographics, adjusting for post-stratification weights. RESULTS: Most participants (88.0%) purchased foods in Mexican stores. Of these, 64.1% reported noticing FoPWLs, among whom many reported that FoPWLs influenced them to buy fewer unhealthy foods (range = 32% [snacks like chips] - 44% [colas]). Participants were more likely to buy foods in Mexican stores and notice FoPWLs if they were younger, had ≥two children at home vs no children (AOR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.15-1.71; AOR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.03-1.80, respectively), and more frequently used Spanish (AOR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.77-2.07; AOR = 1.87, 95%CI = 1.69-2.07). Also, high vs. low education (AOR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.17-1.94) and higher income adequacy (AOR = 1.37, 95%CI = 1.25-1.51) were positively associated with noticing FoPWLs. Being female and more frequent Spanish use were consistently associated with reporting purchase of fewer unhealthy foods because of FoPWLs. CONCLUSIONS: Many Mexican Americans report both exposure to Mexican FOPWLs and reducing purchases of unhealthy foods because of them.

Cannabis-related arrests and convictions in Canada: Differences by race/ethnicity, individual socioeconomic factors, and neighborhood deprivation.

Racialized individuals were disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition in Canada; however, the role of socioeconomic factors and neighborhood deprivation are not well understood. The current study examined race/ethnicity, individual socioeconomic factors, and neighborhood deprivation in relation to arrests and convictions for cannabis-related offenses. Repeat cross-sectional data were analyzed from two waves of the International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS), a web-based survey conducted in 2019 (n = 12,226) and 2020 (n = 12,815) in Canada among those aged 16 to 65. Respondents were recruited through commercial online panels. Respondents' postal codes were linked to the INSPQ deprivation index. Multinomial regression models examined the association between race/ethnicity, individual socioeconomic factors, neighborhood deprivation, and lifetime arrests or convictions for cannabis offenses. Overall, 4.4% of respondents reported a lifetime arrest or conviction for a cannabis-related offense. Black and Indigenous individuals had more than three times the odds of conviction than White individuals (AOR = 3.90, 95% CI = 2.07-7.35, p = <0.01; AOR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.78-5.90, p = <0.01, respectively). Differences were still statistically significant after adjusting for cannabis use and socioeconomic factors; however, after adjusting for neighborhood deprivation, only the difference for Black individuals remained. Neighborhood deprivation was associated with cannabis-related convictions: the odds of a conviction among the "most privileged" and "privileged" neighborhoods were approximately half of those in the "most deprived" neighborhoods (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.29-0.86, p = 0.01; AOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.27-0.92, p = 0.03, respectively). Arrests and convictions for cannabis-related offenses were disproportionately higher among racialized individuals and those living in the most marginalized neighborhoods. Future research should examine whether inequities change following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada.

Adverse outcomes of cannabis use in Canada, before and after legalisation of non-medical cannabis: cross-sectional analysis of the International Cannabis Policy Study.

OBJECTIVES: To date, there is little evidence on the extent to which cannabis legalisation affects the prevalence of adverse events from cannabis at the population level. The current study examined trends in the prevalence of adverse events among people who consumed cannabis before and after Canada's legalisation of recreational cannabis. DESIGN: Data come from the first four survey waves of the International Cannabis Policy Study, which were conducted online annually immediately prior to non-medical cannabis legalisation in Canada in October 2018, and in the three following years (2019-2021). PARTICIPANTS: The current analysis included 18 285 Canadian respondents aged 16-65 who reported cannabis use in the past 12 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes included types of adverse events experienced from cannabis use, medical help-seeking and the types of products used. Weighted logistic regression models examined differences in help-seeking, emergency room usage and the experience of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome across survey years. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of people who consume cannabis reported experiencing at least one adverse event within the past 12 months, including 5% of consumers who sought medical help for an adverse event, most commonly for panic attacks, feeling faint/dizzy/passing out, heart/blood pressure problems and nausea/vomiting. The prevalence of seeking help and the types of adverse events were similar before (2018) and after legalisation (2019-2021); however, the proportion of consumers seeking help from emergency rooms increased postlegalisation (F=2.77, p=0.041). Adverse events were associated with various product types, with dried flower and oral oils accounting for the largest proportion of events. Help-seeking associated with cannabis edibles significantly decreased after legalisation (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial proportions of people who consume cannabis report adverse events, suggesting widespread difficulty in 'dosing'. Few changes were observed in the prevalence of adverse events reported by consumers since legalisation; however, the location of medical help-seeking and associated products used have changed postlegalisation.

Noticing education campaigns or public health messages about vaping among youth in the United States, Canada and England from 2018 to 2022.

Public health campaigns have the potential to correct vaping misperceptions. However, campaigns highlighting vaping harms to youth may increase misperceptions that vaping is equally/more harmful than smoking. Vaping campaigns have been implemented in the United States and Canada since 2018 and in England since 2017 but with differing focus: youth vaping prevention (United States/Canada) and smoking cessation (England). We therefore examined country differences and trends in noticing vaping campaigns among youth and, using 2022 data only, perceived valence of campaigns and associations with harm perceptions. Seven repeated cross-sectional surveys of 16-19 year-olds in United States, Canada and England (2018-2022, n = 92 339). Over half of youth reported noticing vaping campaigns, and noticing increased from August 2018 to February 2020 (United States: 55.2% to 74.6%, AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.18-1.24; Canada: 52.6% to 64.5%, AOR = 1.13, 1.11-1.16; England: 48.0% to 53.0%, AOR = 1.05, 1.02-1.08) before decreasing (Canada) or plateauing (England/United States) to August 2022. Increases were most pronounced in the United States, then Canada. Noticing was most common on websites/social media, school and television/radio. In 2022 only, most campaigns were perceived to negatively portray vaping and this was associated with accurately perceiving vaping as less harmful than smoking among youth who exclusively vaped (AOR = 1.46, 1.09-1.97). Consistent with implementation of youth vaping prevention campaigns in the United States and Canada, most youth reported noticing vaping campaigns/messages, and most were perceived to negatively portray vaping.

Impact of E-liquid Packaging on Vaping Product Perceptions Among Youth in England, Canada, and the United States: A Randomized Online Experiment.

INTRODUCTION: Vaping is not risk-free but can help those who smoke to reduce harm to health and stop smoking. However, packaging of vaping products, including e-liquids, appeals to youth and might facilitate vaping among nicotine-naïve people. Standardized packaging of vaping products could moderate the appeal of vaping among youth. This study assessed how youth interest in trying and perceived health harms of using e-liquids are associated with branded or standardized (white or olive) e-liquid packaging with different nicotine levels displayed. AIMS AND METHODS: A between-subject experiment with three packaging and two nicotine level conditions included youth (n = 13801) aged 16 to 19 from England, Canada, and the United States as a part of a cross-sectional online survey in August-September 2021. Participants' interest in trying and perceived harm of e-liquids were analyzed using logistic and multinomial regressions adjusted for age, sex, race or ethnicity, country, vaping, and smoking status. RESULTS: Compared with branded e-liquid packs, more youth reported no interest in trying e-liquids in white (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.34 to 1.64) or olive (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.47 to 1.80) standardized packs. Compared with branded e-liquid packs, more youth inaccurately perceived e-liquids in white (aOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.34) or olive (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.41) standardized packs as equally or more harmful than smoking. E-liquid nicotine levels displayed on packs were not associated with youth interest in trying or harm perceptions of using e-liquids. CONCLUSIONS: Among 16- to 19-year-old youth from England, Canada, and the United States, standardized packaging of e-liquids was associated with lower interest in trying and higher health risk perceptions. IMPLICATIONS: Branded packaging of vaping products appeal to youth and might prompt nicotine use among those who had never smoked. This study suggests that restricting branding elements on e-liquid packaging is associated with youth's lower interest in trying e-liquids and higher misperceptions that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking. Standardized packaging might reduce appeal of vaping among youth, but its potential to discourage vaping for harm reduction should also be considered.

Social Norms for Cannabis Use After Nonmedical Legalization in Canada.

INTRODUCTION: Social norms play an important role in cannabis use; however, there is little evidence on how social norms change in jurisdictions that legalize cannabis. This study examined trends in social norms before and after legalization of nonmedical cannabis in Canada in 2018. METHODS: Data are from the International Cannabis Policy Study, a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted annually with Canadian respondents aged 16-65 years. Analyses were conducted in 2023 and included data from 58,045 respondents across 4 waves: the year immediately before legalization (2018) and 3 post-legalization waves (2019-2021). Regression models examined trends in injunctive norms (perceived approval of cannabis) and comfort in using cannabis in six different social contexts, adjusting for cannabis use frequency, medical authorization, and sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS: Perceived social approval of cannabis use and comfort using cannabis in different social contexts was highest among males, frequent cannabis consumers, and those who reported medical authorization (p<0.05 in all cases). No changes in perceived approval were observed across years, except a temporary decrease in 2020 versus 2018 (OR=0.87, 95% CI=0.80, 0.95). Modest increases in comfort of using cannabis in 6 different social contexts were observed in 2019 (ß=0.10, p=0.001), 2020 (ß=0.10, p=0.001), and 2021 (ß=0.12, p<0.001) versus in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: Social norms have remained relatively stable after nonmedical legalization in Canada, with only modest increases in comfort of using cannabis in different social settings. The findings may reflect widespread cannabis use in Canada prior to nonmedical legalization in 2018 as well as comprehensive restrictions on promotion and advertising.