The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a stark warning over the growing use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine devices, describing it as an “alarming” new wave of addiction affecting millions of children across the globe.
In its first-ever global estimate of e-cigarette use, the UN health agency revealed that more than 100 million people are now using electronic nicotine products — including at least 15 million children aged between 13 and 15 years. The report also found that, in countries where data is available, children are nine times more likely than adults to use these devices.
In its first-ever global estimate of e-cigarette use, the UN health agency revealed that more than 100 million people are now using electronic nicotine products — including at least 15 million children aged between 13 and 15 years. The report also found that, in countries where data is available, children are nine times more likely than adults to use these devices.
According to the WHO, the tobacco industry is promoting e-cigarettes as supposedly safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, while aggressively marketing them to young people. The agency warned that this strategy is leading to early addiction and threatening decades of progress made in tobacco control.
“E-cigarettes are fuelling a new wave of nicotine addiction,” said Dr Etienne Krug, WHO’s Director of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention. “They are marketed as harm reduction but, in
reality, are hooking children on nicotine earlier and risk undermining years of global health progress.”Globally, traditional smoking rates have declined — from 1.38 billion tobacco users in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024 — yet WHO says the industry is shifting tactics to preserve profits.
“Millions of people are quitting or avoiding tobacco because of strong control measures,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But the industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in enforcing proven tobacco control policies.”
The WHO also revealed that twelve countries are now experiencing a rise in tobacco use, reversing years of steady decline. “These reversals are not just statistics,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care. “They represent millions more people at risk of disease, disability, and premature death in the years to come.”
According to the organisation, smoking remains one of the world’s deadliest habits, killing more than seven million people annually, while second-hand smoke causes over one million deaths each year. Farrar added that smoking indoors around children is “irresponsible and unacceptable”, emphasising that tobacco harms every part of the human body.
The WHO is calling on governments to tighten regulations on e-cigarettes, increase taxes, restrict advertising, and educate young people about the dangers of nicotine dependence. The agency insists that without urgent action, a new generation could be lost to addiction.
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