Alarming Number of People Now Use E-Cigarettes, Warns Global Health Authority
More than 100 million users, featuring at least 15 million minors, presently utilize e-cigarettes, propelling a fresh surge of nicotine addiction, as stated by current global medical findings.
Minors are, on average, nine times more likely than mature individuals to use e-cigarettes, per existing international data.
Electronic cigarettes are fueling a "new wave" of nicotine dependency, commented a leading health expert. "They are promoted as risk reduction but, in reality, are addicting youth on nicotine earlier and threaten undermining years of advancement."
Young People Being 'Targeted'
"Countless of people are ceasing, or not taking up tobacco usage because of tobacco restriction efforts by states around the world," the representative stated.
"In response to this significant improvement, the tobacco industry is fighting back with novel nicotine devices, actively focusing on young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in applying established tobacco-control regulations," he continued.
The vaping figures are an approximation since several states - 109 in all, and several in African and Asian regions - fail to collect data.
Based on the study, as of this past February this year, at minimum 86 million e-cigarette consumers were mature individuals, mostly in high-income states.
And at least 15 million adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 currently vape, according to surveys from 123 states.
Although several countries have made efforts to establish e-cigarette policies to combat underage vaping in recent years, by the end of 2024, 62 states even now had no regulation in place, and 74 countries had no age restriction at which e-cigarettes may be purchased, reports the medical authority.
Meanwhile, tobacco use has been declining - from an approximated 1.38 billion consumers in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Frequency of tobacco usage among females decreased the most - from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024.
For males, the decrease was from 41.4% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2024.
But 20% of adults worldwide yet uses tobacco.
Tobacco use is associated to several diseases, like cancer.
Experts say vaping is considerably less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and can help you cease smoking. It is advised against for individuals who avoid tobacco.
Vaping devices do not burn tobacco and do not create black substance or carbon monoxide, two of the most damaging substances in tobacco vapors. They include nicotine, which can be habit-forming.