Student-, Study- and COVID-19-Related Predictors of Students' Smoking, Binge Drinking and Cannabis Use before and during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in The Netherlands

Tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are commonly used among university students. However,
student lives and their substance use have changed dramatically since the start of the COVID-19
pandemic. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on (trends in) weekly smoking, weekly
binge drinking and weekly cannabis use in Dutch university students and investigated associated
student-, study- and COVID-19-related characteristics. Between April and June 2020, several Dutch
higher educational institutes invited their students to participate in an online survey. Data of
9967 students (Mage = 22.0 (SD = 2.6); Nfemale = 7008 (70.3%)) were available for analyses. Overall,
weekly smoking remained stable (11.5%), weekly binge drinking decreased (from 27.8% to 13.9%)
and weekly cannabis use increased (from 6.7% to 8.6%). Male gender, not living with parents, being
a bachelor student, having less financial resources and less adherence to the COVID-19 measures
were found to increase the risk of substance use (before/during the first COVID-19 lockdown).
Additionally, male gender, not living with parents, being a bachelor student, not being born in the
Netherlands and having a student loan contributed to the likelihood of increased substance use during
COVID-19. Patterns of characteristics contributing to the likelihood of decreased weekly substance
use during COVID-19 were less clear. The risk factors male gender, not living with parents and being
a bachelor student do not only contribute to the likelihood of using substances but also contribute to
the likelihood of increased use during a lockdown. Prevention and intervention programs should
especially target these risk groups.