Mixing Weed and Cigarettes: The Hidden Challenge of Quitting

People are increasingly combining cannabis and tobacco, but the impact on quitting smoking is not well understood. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) occurs when cannabis use becomes problematic. However, it's unclear whether any cannabis use complicates quitting smoking or if the issue arises only with CUD. Using both substances together can make quitting smoking seem more daunting. The question is whether cannabis itself is the culprit or if the difficulty lies in the user's ability to control their cannabis consumption. When individuals use cannabis and tobacco together, they might underestimate how this combination influences their smoking habits. They may think, "I'm only using cannabis, not tobacco, " but the two substances could be working in tandem to make quitting harder.For those with CUD, quitting smoking can feel like tackling two addictions simultaneously. This dual challenge can make the process feel overwhelming and more difficult to manage. However, not everyone who uses both cannabis and tobacco has CUD. This raises the question: is the issue the cannabis use itself or the lack of control over cannabis consumption? This is a complex issue. To provide effective support and resources, it's crucial to understand how the combined use of cannabis and tobacco affects quitting smoking.