Preliminary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking and vaping in college students

•COVID-19 related campus closures were associated with reduced tobacco use frequency.•Reduced tobacco use frequency did not correspond to reduced quantity.•One quarter of college students who smoked or vaped paused in response to COVID-19.•Lower anxiety and moving to non-independent housing increased odds of pausing.•Active COVID-19 related news seeking and passive exposure decreased odds of pausing.