In young and adolescent patients with chronic kidney diseases, cigarette use was found linked to higher proteinuria despite the low prevalence. However, in the same cohort, substance use was trivial. 

A study assessed the possible links between alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use and kidney function and proteinuria among adolescent and young adults with pediatric-onset chronic kidney disease. The results showed that 39% reported alcohol use, 16% cigarette, 175 e-cigarettes, and 15% marijuana cases. THE study authors concluded that occasional alcohol, e-cigarette, and marijuana use were not linked to proteinuria, kidney disease progression, or increased blood pressure. However, the treating nephrologists should discuss substance use and the pitfalls of using tobacco or alcohol with their pediatric patients. 

Reference: Molino AR, Jerry-Fluker J, Atkinson MA, Furth SL, et al. The association of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, and marijuana use with disease severity in adolescents and young adults with pediatric chronic kidney disease. Pediatric Nephrology. 2021; 36: 2493-2497.