The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first global estimate of e-cigarette usage, revealing that over 100 million people worldwide are using these nicotine products. The report, published on October 6, highlighted alarming trends, particularly among adolescents, with at least 15 million users aged 13 to 15 years old.
Key Findings: High Risk Among Youth
According to the report, the global breakdown of e-cigarette users includes a minimum of 86 million adults and at least 15 million adolescents aged 13–15. In countries where data is available, children in this age group are nine times more likely to use e-cigarettes compared to adults.
The WHO expressed concerns that e-cigarettes and other new nicotine products could encourage earlier exposure to nicotine among minors, potentially reversing decades of progress in tobacco control. The report noted that these products are often marketed as "harm reduction", but their appeal to young people poses a significant public health challenge.
Concerns Over Industry Practices
The WHO attributed part of the rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents to the tobacco industry's aggressive marketing strategies. The organization alleged that manufacturers are deliberately targeting young people by continually introducing new products, including nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products, which are often presented as safer alternatives to traditional smoking.
These practices, WHO warned, may undermine existing tobacco control measures and contribute to a new wave of nicotine addiction, particularly among younger populations.
Policy Recommendations
To address this growing issue, the WHO is urging governments worldwide to implement stricter regulations on e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine products. The organization called for the acceleration of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the MPOWER policy package, which outlines comprehensive tobacco control measures. Suggested actions include:
- Closing regulatory loopholes to bring e-cigarettes under stricter control.
- Increasing taxes on nicotine products to reduce their affordability and accessibility.
- Enforcing comprehensive bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship to curb their appeal to adolescents.
- Expanding access to cessation services to support users in quitting nicotine products.
A New Public Health Challenge
Despite progress in reducing global tobacco use, the proliferation of e-cigarettes is creating fresh challenges for public health officials. The WHO's report emphasized that while adult smoking rates are declining, particularly among women, the emergence of new nicotine products threatens to derail the achievements of existing tobacco control efforts.
The organization stressed that "only faster and stronger comprehensive policies" can prevent e-cigarettes from becoming a long-term public health crisis.