Alarming Number of People Now Vape, Warns Global Health Organization
More than 100 million individuals, including at bare minimum 15 million children, now utilize e-cigarettes, propelling a fresh surge of nicotine habit, according to current international medical data.
Youth are, typically, nine times more likely than grown-ups to use e-cigarettes, according to available international data.
Vaping devices are propelling a "fresh wave" of nicotine addiction, remarked a senior health representative. "These devices are advertised as harm reduction but, actually, are ensnaring youth on nicotine at younger ages and risk undermining decades of improvement."
Teens Being 'Targeted'
"Numerous of people are stopping, or avoiding tobacco usage because of tobacco regulation efforts by nations across the planet," he said.
"As a reaction to this substantial progress, the tobacco business is pushing back with new nicotine products, actively focusing on youth. Administrations must take action faster and stronger in enacting proven tobacco-control measures," the official added.
The e-cigarette figures are an approximation since several states - 109 in total, and many in African and South-East Asia - lack statistics.
Based on the study, as of this past February this year, at minimum 86 million e-cigarette individuals were adults, mainly in high-income nations.
And at least 15 million youth between the ages of 13 and 15 presently use e-cigarettes, per studies from 123 countries.
Even though many nations have made efforts to implement e-cigarette rules to tackle child vaping in recent years, by the end of 2024, 62 nations even now had no policy in effect, and 74 countries had no minimum age at which e-cigarettes may be bought, says the medical authority.
Meanwhile, tobacco usage has been declining - from an approximated 1.38 billion consumers in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Prevalence of tobacco use among females dropped the largest - from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024.
For men, the drop was from 41.4% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2024.
But one in five of adults worldwide yet consumes tobacco.
Tobacco use is associated to numerous conditions, like cancer.
Experts state vaping is far less dangerous than traditional cigarettes, and can help you quit smoking. It is advised against for those who don't smoke.
E-cigarettes eliminate burning tobacco and avoid generating resin or CO, two of the most harmful substances in tobacco smoke. They include nicotine, which may be addictive.
