Worrying Figures of Users Now Use E-Cigarettes, Warns Global Health Body
In excess of 100 million individuals, including at bare minimum 15 million minors, currently use e-cigarettes, propelling a fresh wave of nicotine habit, as stated by latest international health reports.
Minors are, on average, nine times more likely than grown-ups to engage in vaping, according to existing international data.
Vaping devices are propelling a "fresh wave" of nicotine habit, commented a prominent health expert. "These devices are marketed as harm reduction but, truthfully, are addicting kids on nicotine sooner and endanger weakening decades of progress."
Adolescents Being 'Aimed At'
"Millions of individuals are quitting, or refraining from tobacco use because of tobacco restriction efforts by nations across the world," the representative said.
"In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is pushing back with recent nicotine items, forcefully focusing on youth. Authorities must respond faster and more vigorously in implementing tested tobacco-control policies," the official added.
The e-cigarette figures are an approximation since some states - 109 in total, and several in Africa and Asian regions - fail to collect information.
Per the analysis, as of February this year, at least 86 million e-cigarette consumers were adults, mostly in wealthy states.
And at bare minimum 15 million teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 presently vape, based on surveys from 123 countries.
Although numerous states have attempted to implement e-cigarette regulations to tackle youth vaping in recent years, by the close of 2024, 62 states yet had no measure in effect, and 74 countries had no minimum age at which e-cigarettes can be bought, reports the health body.
Meanwhile, tobacco usage has been decreasing - from an estimated 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Prevalence of tobacco use among women fell the largest - from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024.
Among males, the reduction was from 41.4% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2024.
But one in five of adults globally even now consumes tobacco.
Tobacco use is linked to several illnesses, including cancer.
Experts state vaping is considerably less dangerous than traditional cigarettes, and can aid you quit smoking. It is advised against for non-smokers.
E-cigarettes avoid burning tobacco and do not produce resin or toxic gas, two of the most damaging elements in tobacco smoke. They include nicotine, which can be addictive.
