The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern over what it calls an “alarming” surge in nicotine addiction caused by e-cigarettes, warning that millions of children are now becoming hooked on vaping.
According to the UN health agency, data from several countries show that children are, on average, nine times more likely to vape than adults. The WHO accused the tobacco industry of misleading the public by marketing vapes as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, while in reality, they are deliberately targeting young people and getting them addicted to nicotine.
In its first-ever global estimate, the WHO revealed that over 100 million people worldwide currently use e-cigarettes — including at least 86 million adults, mostly in wealthy nations, and 15 million children aged 13 to 15.
“The numbers are alarming,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO’s Director of Health Determinants, Promotion, and Prevention. “E-cigarettes are creating a new generation of nicotine addicts. They are sold as harm reduction tools, but in truth, they’re hooking kids earlier and reversing decades of progress in tobacco control.”
The report noted that while traditional smoking has declined globally — dropping from 1.38 billion users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024 — the tobacco industry has shifted its focus to new nicotine products to sustain profits.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said many people have quit smoking or avoided it altogether due to strong tobacco control measures. However, he warned that “the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people.”
He urged governments to take tougher and faster action by enforcing proven anti-tobacco policies.
Read Also;
Nigeria Among Africa’s Worst in Road Traffic Deaths — WHO Report
The WHO also revealed that tobacco use is rising again in 12 countries — a worrying reversal that could put millions more at risk of disease, disability, and premature death.
Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General, reminded that smoking kills more than seven million people every year, while over one million die from second-hand smoke. He described smoking indoors around children as “irresponsible and unacceptable,” stressing that tobacco damages “every single part of the body.”
