Vapes 'are hooking' children as teen users hit 15million worldwide

"Vape manufacturers were last night accused of hooking a generation of children on e-cigarettes as the number of people globally who use the devices exceeded 100million. The World Health Organisation said vaping numbers were 'alarming' and that rates among teenagers were of particular concern. In a scathing attack, it warned manufacturers that devices meant to help people stop smoking were actually 'hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress'."

"Of the WHO's estimate of more than 100million users, at least 86million were adults, mostly in high-income countries. Usage among teenagers aged 13 to 15 was nine times higher than adults, and almost 15million children use them. In a report on global tobacco trends, the WHO said 1.9 per cent of adults vape compared with 7.2 per cent of teenagers aged 13 to 15. However, it warned that its figures on vape use among adolescents were 'almost certainly an undercount'."

"'E-cigarettes are fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction. Vape manufacturers were last night accused of hooking a generation of children on e-cigarettes as the number of people globally who use the devices exceeded 100million The World Health Organisation said vaping numbers were 'alarming' and that rates among teenagers were of particular concern 'They are marketed as harm reduction, but in reality are hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress.'"

Global e-cigarette use exceeds 100 million, with at least 86 million adult users concentrated in high-income countries. Teenagers aged 13 to 15 vape at substantially higher rates—about 7.2% compared with 1.9% of adults—resulting in almost 15 million child users and a ninefold higher rate than adults. Adolescent vaping prevalence is likely undercounted. Industry marketing increasingly targets children and young people, including via under-regulated digital channels. E-cigarettes are fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction and threaten to undermine decades of progress in tobacco control. Public health concerns focus on preventing youth initiation and preserving prior reductions in cigarette smoking.

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