WHO warns of ‘alarming’ rise in e-cigarette addiction among children

Tuesday 07 October 2025 - 07:30

By: Sahili Aya

WHO warns of ‘alarming’ rise in e-cigarette addiction among children

The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over what it calls a new and “alarming” wave of nicotine addiction driven by e-cigarettes, estimating that at least 15 million children aged 13 to 15 around the world now use them.

According to the UN health agency, the vaping industry aggressively targets young people by presenting e-cigarettes as safer alternatives to traditional tobacco — a marketing strategy that, in reality, hooks children on nicotine at an early age.

“The numbers are alarming,” said the WHO, which for the first time has estimated that there are over 100 million e-cigarette users worldwide, including at least 15 million minors, mostly in high-income countries.

“E-cigarettes are fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction,” said Etienne Krug, WHO Director for Social Determinants of Health, in a statement. “They are often presented as risk-reduction tools, but in reality, they make children dependent earlier and threaten decades of progress against smoking.”

While the number of smokers has declined from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024, the WHO warns that the vaping industry is undermining these gains by targeting youth through digital marketing and social media influencers.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged governments to respond decisively:

“The tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products that target young people. Governments must act faster and more firmly.”

According to the WHO, one in five adults remains addicted to tobacco, and 12 countries are seeing an increase in smoking prevalence. The organization warns that millions more people are at risk of disease, disability, and premature death in the coming years.

The report also highlights that around 40 million children currently use tobacco, with some starting before the age of 10. Online exposure to tobacco advertising remains a major concern, as influencers often promote vaping products indirectly, making regulation difficult.