Introduction to E-Cigarette Use
More than 100 million people, including at least 15 million children, use e-cigarettes and fuel a new wave of nicotine dependency that the World Health Organization warns about. On average, children are more common than adults to use e-cigarettes based on the available global numbers.
The New Wave of Nicotine Addiction
The World Health Organization’s Dr. Etienne Krug said that e-cigarettes have created a "new wave" of nicotine addiction. "They are marketed as a reduction in damage, but in reality, they used to include children on nicotine and the risk of undermining progress for decades." General Director Dr. Tedros accused the tobacco industry of "aggressively targeting" young people.
Young People are "Targeted"
Thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world, millions of people are pending or no longer accept tobacco consumption. "In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry defends itself with new nicotine products and aggressively aims at young people. Governments have to act faster and more in the implementation of the proven policy of tobacco control."
Vaping Numbers and Regulations
The vaping numbers are an estimate, since some countries – a total of 109 and many in African and Southeast Asia – do not collect any data. At least 86 million e-cigarette users were adults in February of this year, mainly in countries with high incomes. And at least 15 million teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 already vape, based on surveys from 123 countries. While many nations have made efforts to introduce e-cigarettes regulations to combat children in recent years, 62 countries have had no guidelines by the end of 2024, and 74 countries had no minimum age in which e-cigarettes could be bought.
Decline in Tobacco Consumption
In the meantime, tobacco consumption has been decreased – from an estimated 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. The prevalence of tobacco consumption in women fell most – from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024. In men, the decline of 41.4% in 2010 was 32.5% in 2024. But every fifth adult worldwide still uses tobacco.
Health Risks Associated with Smoking and Vaping
Smoking is associated with many diseases, including cancer. Experts say that vaping is far less harmful than cigarettes and can help them quit smoking. It is not recommended for non-smokers. E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco and do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. They contain nicotine that can be addictive.
