The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive global estimate on e-cigarette usage, highlighting the rapid rise in vaping among young people. The report, unveiled on October 6, reveals that over 100 million people worldwide currently use e-cigarettes, with adolescents being disproportionately affected. Alarmingly, in countries with available data, children aged 13–15 are nine times more likely to use e-cigarettes than adults.
Over 100 Million E-Cigarette Users Globally
According to the WHO report, titled WHO tobacco trends report: 1 in 5 adults still addicted to tobacco, there are at least 100 million e-cigarette users globally. Of these, a minimum of 86 million are adults, while at least 15 million are adolescents aged 13–15. This marks the first time the WHO has provided a global estimate on the prevalence of e-cigarette use.
While conventional tobacco use has declined globally over the past decade, the report outlines growing concerns that new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, are undermining progress in tobacco control. The WHO warns that these products may entice minors to begin using nicotine earlier and potentially reverse years of public health achievements in reducing tobacco addiction.
Youth Vaping Trends Raise Alarm
The staggering statistic that children are, on average, nine times more likely to vape than adults signals a significant public health challenge. The WHO attributes this trend to aggressive marketing by the tobacco industry, which it accuses of targeting young people by launching new products such as e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products.
The WHO stated that such marketing strategies are often framed as "harm reduction" efforts but, in practice, may lead to increased nicotine exposure among minors. This raises concerns that the proliferation of these products could disrupt efforts to curb tobacco consumption on a global scale.
Policy Recommendations to Address the Issue
To combat the rising popularity of e-cigarettes and other new nicotine products, the WHO is urging governments worldwide to strengthen tobacco control measures. The organization called for accelerated implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the MPOWER policy package, which includes:
- Regulation and enforcement: Closing legal loopholes and enacting stricter controls on new nicotine products like e-cigarettes.
- Taxation: Raising taxes on these products to reduce their accessibility, particularly for young people.
- Marketing bans: Enforcing comprehensive bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship to minimize their appeal to adolescents.
- Cessation services: Expanding access to nicotine cessation programs to provide users with better support to quit.
The report underscores the importance of these measures in preventing new nicotine products from creating long-term health risks.
The Growing Challenge of New Nicotine Products
Despite declining tobacco use among adults, the WHO identifies the growing prevalence of alternative nicotine products as a "key challenge." The organization expressed particular concern about their impact on adolescents, warning that only "faster and stronger comprehensive policies" can mitigate the potential public health risks posed by e-cigarettes and similar products.
The WHO’s findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and public health experts to address the surge in e-cigarette use, especially among youth, and to ensure that progress in global tobacco control is not eroded by the rise of new nicotine delivery systems.
