More than 100 million users, including at least 15 million children, currently employ e-cigarettes, fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction, according to latest global medical reports.
Minors are, usually, nine times more inclined than grown-ups to use e-cigarettes, per available worldwide data.
Vaping devices are driving a "new wave" of nicotine dependency, commented a senior health representative. "They are advertised as damage limitation but, actually, are addicting kids on nicotine at younger ages and endanger compromising generations of improvement."
"Countless of people are ceasing, or not taking up tobacco usage thanks to tobacco restriction initiatives by states around the globe," he commented.
"As a reaction to this significant advancement, the tobacco business is resisting with recent nicotine devices, forcefully aiming at adolescents. Administrations must act more rapidly and more forcefully in applying established tobacco-control measures," he continued.
The vaping numbers are a projection since some states - 109 in all, and many in African and South-East Asia - lack information.
Per the analysis, as of February this year, at bare minimum 86 million e-cigarette individuals were adults, primarily in wealthy countries.
And at minimum 15 million teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 already use e-cigarettes, according to surveys from 123 states.
Even though numerous states have tried to establish e-cigarette rules to address underage vaping in the past few years, by the close of 2024, 62 countries still had no regulation in operation, and 74 states had no age restriction at which e-cigarettes may be bought, reports the public health authority.
At the same time, tobacco use has been decreasing - from an projected 1.38 billion consumers in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024.
Frequency of tobacco consumption among women fell the greatest - from 11% in 2010 to 6.6% in 2024.
For males, the drop was from 41.4% in 2010 to 32.5% in 2024.
But one in five of mature individuals globally even now consumes tobacco.
Tobacco use is linked to several illnesses, like cancer.
Specialists claim vaping is far less dangerous than cigarettes, and can help you stop smoking. It is not recommended for individuals who avoid tobacco.
Electronic cigarettes avoid burning tobacco and do not produce black substance or CO, a pair of the most dangerous elements in tobacco vapors. They contain nicotine, which can be habit-forming.
Elara Vance is a seasoned travel writer and luxury lifestyle expert, sharing her passion for discovering exclusive experiences around the globe.