Worrying Number of Individuals Now Vape, States Global Health Organization
In excess of 100 hundred million users, including at least 15 million youth, now employ e-cigarettes, driving a fresh wave of nicotine addiction, as stated by latest international public health data.
Children are, on average, nine times more inclined than mature individuals to use e-cigarettes, according to available international figures.
Vaping devices are driving a "new wave" of nicotine dependency, commented a prominent health expert. "These devices are advertised as harm reduction but, in reality, are addicting kids on nicotine sooner and risk compromising years of advancement."
Adolescents Being 'Aimed At'
"Millions of citizens are quitting, or refraining from tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by nations throughout the planet," he said.
"In response to this strong progress, the tobacco sector is pushing back with recent nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Administrations must act more rapidly and more vigorously in enacting proven tobacco-control policies," the representative further stated.
The vaping numbers are an approximation since numerous countries - 109 in all, and many in African and South-East Asia - lack information.
Per the analysis, as of February this year, at least 86 million e-cigarette consumers were mature individuals, primarily in high-income states.
And at minimum 15 million teenagers aged 13 and 15 presently vape, according to surveys from 123 states.
Although several countries have made efforts to establish e-cigarette rules to tackle child vaping in recent years, by the close of 2024, 62 nations still had no regulation in place, and 74 nations had no age restriction at which e-cigarettes can be bought, says the medical authority.
Simultaneously, tobacco use has been decreasing - from an approximated 1.38 billion consumers in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Frequency of tobacco consumption among women dropped 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 a fifth of adults worldwide still uses tobacco.
Cigarette consumption is connected to several diseases, including cancer.
Experts say vaping is significantly less damaging than tobacco products, and can help you stop smoking. It is advised against for non-smokers.
Vaping devices avoid burning tobacco and do not produce resin or carbon monoxide, a couple of the most damaging components in tobacco fumes. They contain nicotine, which might be addictive.
