The World Health Organization warns: a surge in the use of nicotine among teenagers

About 40 million teenagers use tobacco products

The data published by the organization is particularly disturbing. According to the World Health Organization, around 40 million adolescents aged 13 to 15 around the world currently use tobacco products. At least 15 million teenagers of those ages use e-cigarettes. In countries where data is available, teenagers are on average nine times more likely to use e-cigarettes than adults.

In the European region of the World Health Organization the picture is particularly sharp. About 11.6% of 13 to 15 year olds, about 4 million boys and girls, use tobacco products. The rate is almost the same between boys and girls: 11.8% among boys and 11.4% among girls. The European region has the world’s highest rate of cigarette smoking among teenagers, 8.4%, and the world’s highest rate of smoking among girls, 8.7%.

The electronic cigarette – a danger for teenagers

But the most worrying development is related to electronic cigarettes. According to the organization’s data, the rate of use of electronic cigarettes among 13- to 15-year-olds in the European region is 14.3%, the highest in the world. Here, too, the gap between the sexes has almost been erased: 13.6% of boys and 15% of girls use these products. The organization notes that in a third of the countries in the region, the rate of use of electronic cigarettes among teenagers is at least five times higher than that of adults.

Fruit and candy flavored nicotine

The problem is not just the nicotine itself, but the way it is packaged and marketed. Fruit, mint, candy and beverage flavored products, colorful designs, devices that look like technology accessories and indirect marketing on social networks make nicotine products less threatening to young people. Instead of the smell of cigarettes, ashes and ashtrays, they are presented with a clean, colorful and fast world, which seems very far from the old image of smoking.

On the other hand, medically, nicotine is not an innocent product. This is an addictive substance that acts on the nervous system, affects reward mechanisms in the brain and may create dependence at a young age. Adolescence is a critical stage in brain development, so exposure to nicotine at this age is of particular concern. Early addiction may make withdrawal difficult later in life, and lead to prolonged use of nicotine and tobacco products.

The World Health Organization emphasizes that the gaps in policy are still large. According to 2024 data in the European region, only seven countries ban all flavors of electronic cigarettes. Five countries do not impose an age restriction on their sale. In eight countries there are no restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and in 19 countries there are only partial prohibitions. Ten states do not regulate the use of e-cigarettes in public places.

This means that children and teenagers remain exposed to marketing, attractive designs and products built to appear less dangerous. The organization calls on countries to tighten the ban on flavors, advertising and promotion, including on social networks and digital media, and to tighten the supervision of packaging, product designs and appearance that increases appeal among young people.