Alarming Number of Users Now Use E-Cigarettes, Warns Global Health Organization
More than 100 hundred million users, including at minimum 15 million youth, currently utilize e-cigarettes, fueling a fresh wave of nicotine habit, as stated by recent international health data.
Children are, on average, nine times more inclined than grown-ups to engage in vaping, per available worldwide statistics.
E-cigarettes are propelling a "fresh wave" of nicotine addiction, stated a leading health official. "They are marketed as damage limitation but, actually, are addicting children on nicotine earlier and endanger weakening years of progress."
Young People Being 'Targeted'
"Millions of people are ceasing, or refraining from tobacco usage thanks to tobacco restriction measures by states throughout the planet," the representative stated.
"In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with recent nicotine devices, actively focusing on young people. Governments must take action faster and more vigorously in enacting tested tobacco-control policies," the official added.
The vaping statistics are a projection since several nations - 109 in total, and many in African and Southeast Asia - fail to collect statistics.
Per the analysis, as of February this period, at least 86 million e-cigarette consumers were adults, primarily in wealthy nations.
And at minimum 15 million youth aged 13 and 15 already vape, based on studies from 123 states.
Although numerous nations have attempted to introduce e-cigarette rules to address youth vaping in recent years, by the end of 2024, 62 countries still had no measure in place, and 74 countries had no minimum age at which e-cigarettes can be acquired, reports the medical body.
Meanwhile, tobacco consumption has been dropping - from an estimated 1.38 billion individuals in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Prevalence of tobacco use among females decreased the most - from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024.
With men, the reduction was from 41.4% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2024.
But one in five of mature individuals internationally still consumes tobacco.
Tobacco use is associated to many conditions, like cancer.
Professionals say vaping is significantly less harmful than tobacco products, and can help you stop smoking. It is advised against for those who don't smoke.
Electronic cigarettes eliminate burning tobacco and do not create resin or carbon monoxide, two of the most damaging elements in tobacco smoke. They have nicotine, which may be addictive.
