WHO has warned that while global smoking rates are falling, e-cigarettes are driving a new youth-focused nicotine addiction crisis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that despite a two-decade decline in traditional tobacco use, a new surge in nicotine addiction driven by e-cigarettes is emerging, especially among young people.
According to a new WHO global report, global tobacco users fell from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024, yet over 100 million people now use e-cigarettes, including about 15 million adolescents aged 13 to 15. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the trend as a “fightback” by the tobacco industry using “sophisticated marketing strategies and sleek new nicotine products” to hook young users.
Dr. Etienne Krug, WHO’s Director of Health Promotion, said, “E-cigarettes are fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction… hooking kids on nicotine earlier.” WHO urged governments to intensify tobacco control policies under its MPOWER package, warning that without urgent action, the world risks reversing decades of progress against tobacco addiction.