Child Vaping Surge Prompts WHO Global Warning

The World Health Organization has warned that child vaping addiction is fuelling a new global wave of nicotine dependence.

According to WHO estimates, more than 100 million people, including 15 million children, currently use e-cigarettes worldwide.

Children are nine times more likely to vape than adults, revealing an alarming trend that threatens decades of anti-tobacco progress.

Dr Etienne Krug of WHO said e-cigarettes are marketed as harm reduction products but are instead hooking young users on nicotine earlier.

He warned that the tobacco industry is exploiting loopholes to attract new consumers and undermine hard-earned public health gains.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros also accused tobacco firms of aggressively targeting teenagers through misleading campaigns.

Dr Tedros noted that millions have quit smoking due to strong tobacco control policies implemented across many countries.

However, he cautioned that the industry is now fighting back by promoting new nicotine products to young people.

He urged governments to accelerate regulation and enforcement to curb child vaping addiction before it becomes an entrenched public health crisis.

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WHO data shows that at least 86 million adult users of e-cigarettes live mostly in high-income countries.

Surveys from 123 nations reveal that 15 million teenagers aged between 13 and 15 already use e-cigarettes. By the end of 2024, 62 countries had no policies regulating these products, while 74 had no legal minimum age for purchase.

Meanwhile, tobacco use is declining globally, dropping from 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. The steepest decline was among women, with usage rates falling from 11 percent in 2010 to 6.6 percent in 2024.

Among men, the rate dropped from 41.4 percent to 32.5 percent, though one in five adults worldwide still consumes tobacco.

Health experts acknowledge that vaping is less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can help some people quit smoking.

However, WHO warns that it remains unsafe for non-smokers, particularly children, since e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is highly addictive.

The organization called on all governments to enforce strict controls to protect youth from child vaping addiction and ensure progress in global tobacco reduction continues.